Obituaries:  A. B. (Bunny) Ramsey, Sabine Parish       R-520
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Jan 18, 1979
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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A. B. (Bunny) Ramsey (Photo)

  A well liked and successful businessman in the town of Many
died, following an extended illness, on Thursday, Jan. 11, at
10:36 a.m. A. B. (Bunny) Ramsey died in Fraser Hospital South. He
was 60 years old.

  Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Lucile Ramsey of Many; three
daughters, Lana Grainer of Long Island, New York, Beth Mulkey of
DeRidder, and Kathy Ramsey of Many; his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth
Ramsey of Many; one brother, Kenneth Ramsey of Jackson,
Mississippi; a half brother, Kenneth Knowles of DeRidder; two
foster sisters, Mrs. A. G. Whitlesey of Kilgore, Tex., and Mrs.
Nell Powers of Greenville, Tex.; and five grandchildren, Julie
Walley, Renee Walley, and Nichole Walley, all of Long Island, New
York, and Kimberly Mulkey, and Karen Mulkey, both of DeRidder.

  Funeral services were conducted at the Many First Baptist Church
on Friday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. Businessmen, church members,
customers, and noted community leaders gathered to pay their
respects to a man who was an honest and dedicated worker.

  Flowers of every color and kind flanked the alter. Preludes were
offered by Merrill Cummings on the organ, and Patsy McCormick on
the piano. Johnny Deggs of Many sang "How Great Thou Art".

  The message was preached by Dr. Rod Smith, church pastor. He
remembered Mr. Ramsey as a good man, and as a Christian man.
Offering prayer and a moment of testimony was Rev. J. D. Scott, a
close, childhood friend of Mr. Ramsey.

  Mr. Ramsey was laid to rest in the Many Cemetery, under the
direction of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home.

  Pallbearers were Clark Pouncy, Don Barnhill, Raymond Barnhill,
Hoy Lee, W. R. Miller, Robert Gentry, Ray Williams, and Eddie
Teal.

  Honorary pallbearers were Kenny Pinsonat, J. L. McDonald, Woody
"Nick" Nichols, Georg Boyens, J. F. Wright, Dr. Hollis Bray,
Buster Murray, J. S. Pickett Jr., O. B. Campbell, Donald Scaife,
Pete Abington, Hoyt Curtis, Melton Wright, Vernice Wright, Dan
Coats, E. L. Palmer, W. E. "Boots" Hayes, Wayne Phillips, Neal
Streener, Alvin Warmack, Ottis Lewing, Gordon Parker, James Lynn
Davis, George Joe Boyens, Joe Luster, Bill Leslie, Melvin Wright,
Buddy Dees, and Benny McNeely.

  A. B. (Bunny) Ramsey was born on June 14, 1918, in Shreveport,
to Mr. and Mrs. Luther Ramsey. As a young boy he was content to
follow on the heels of his uncle A. G. Dees, as he waited on
customers in the A. G. Dees Grocery. Dees and his wife, Alice,
raised Bunny and his brother, Kenneth.

  Introduced to the ways of the business world at an early age,
Bunny Ramsey learned many secrets which would help him become a
success later on.

  While attending high school at Many, he continued to work for
his uncle. He delivered groceries and worked as a clerk in the
store, which was located where Otasco now sits on san Antonio
Ave.

  After he graduated in 1936, he continued to work in the store.

  On December 23, 1936, he married Lucille Peterson. Six months
later, the couple purchased the High School Service Station, and
worked side by side until after the war broke out in 1942.

  In 1943, Mr. Ramsey began construction work in shipyards. He
worked in Mobile, Alabama for a year, and then in Beaumont, Tex.
for two years. His job was as a welder and electrician. The
couple's first child, Lana, was born in Beaumont.

  In 1945, the family returned to Many, and Mr. Ramsey bought his
uncle's business. A second daughter, Beth, was born during this
year.

  The A. G. Dees Grocery was now Ramsey's Grocery. After operating
the grocery for a while, he sold out the groceries and introduced
an auto-lec business to the community. At the same time, he and
his uncle owned a washeteria located on East San Antonio Ave.
Both business thrived until Mr. Ramsey sold the auto-lec business
in 1946.

  In 1948, the family moved to DeRidder, where he owned and
operated the DeRidder Food Mart. Being the businessman that he
was, Mr. Ramsey branched out into the dry goods business, and
opened a store, Ramsey's. The business prospered, and he
purchased another building and opened his second store in
DeRidder. His wife operated the second store with success.

  A third daughter, Kathy was born in 1954.

  Seeing that he could be successful in this business, he moved
his store to Many, and commuted for the next five years. In 1965,
Lucille and the girls moved back home.

  At one time in the late 60's, he owned a chain of dry goods
stores, including a store in Natchitoches, Timpson, Tex., Zwolle,
DeRidder, and Many.

  Ramsey was a name synonymous with good merchandise at low
prices. No matter what you had in mind, you could always find it
at the San Antonio Ave. store. Wooden floors and the friendly
service a customer received reminded many of the old time
storekeepers. Ramsey never forgot his customers. In fact, he
could call most by name.

  In 1976, the store was moved to the Wright's Shopping Center,
where it is today.

  One could always be assured to leaving the business with a smile
on his face. Not only was Ramsey a good salesman, but he also
possessed a good sense of humor. He always had time to chat, and
he saw to it that each customer was satisfied.

  Not only was Mr. Ramsey a successful businessman, but he was an
outstanding community leader.

  In DeRidder, he was a member of the Woodmen of the World, the
Lions Club, and the Kiwanis Club.

  In Many, he was a member of the Lions Club at one time, but was
a member of the Many Rotary Club upon his death. He was also a
member of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce.

  In 1974, he was listed in Who's Who in Louisiana, and in 1975,
he was listed in Outstanding Americans in the South.

  A faithful member of the Many First Baptist Church, he was
president of the Adult Men's Sunday School Class. In fact,
throughout his illness, he attended the class meetings each week,
and conducted the gatherings. It was not until he became confined
to his bed, that he stopped attending.

  Bunny Ramsey was a man who never gave up. He led a Christian
life, and encouraged others to do the same. He was a fine example
of a businessman, and a Christian in the community. Many looked
up to this man for guidance and support. He never let them down.

  A good and worthwhile life came to an end after a lengthy
illness. He will never be forgotten, because he was so well
loved.