Mary Lou Ramsey entered this life on October 15,1935 in Nebo, Hopkins County, Kentucky and departed this life on June 19, 2018. Mary Lou scholastic journey included Providence High School, Bethel Jr. College, Pikeville College and Western Kentucky University; in which she obtained degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology. She married the love of her life, James Ramsey on February 3,1957. Mary Lou, began her teaching career in Pike County, KY. Afterwards, she briefly taught in Bowling Green, before moving to Nashville in 1961, where she took a 1st grade teaching position at Donaldson Elementary until 1963, transitioning to McGavok Elementary to teach 2nd grade. Following the birth of her daughter, Lucinda Joy Ramsey, she began volunteer work in private kindergarten. In 1982, she organized the Nashville Baptist Association for English language, teaching Southeast Asian refugees and also volunteered with the US Home Mission Board Training in Literacy. Mary Lou returned to teaching at Scales Elementary in Williamson County where she also served as Circulation Librarian until her retirement in 1985. Her consistent drive and determination continued as she started to care for elderly patients. Mary Lou as a child always loved gardening and fondly recalled completion of a class project for Home Economics by landscaping her parents` yard. She always had flowers, even when teaching in a three room school in Kentucky. In 1996, she followed her passion, by starting the Garden Guild, followed by attending a flower show judging school held at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. She finished in 1998, and then went on to become a Master Judge in 2010; allowing her to Judge many flower shows in Tennessee. Mary Lou was a member of TAGS (Tennessee Arrangers and Growers Society) where she served as Chairman of the Sunshine Committee and was active in Judges Council. She was also a member of Ikbana for seven years and served as President. Mary Lou designed the sanctuary flowers at First Baptist Church for seven years. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which didn’t slow her down. She was active in Vacation Bible School all her adult life, and participated in Mission trips. Mary Lou’s spirit was to nurture and develop. Her contributions will continue to live in the hearts and minds of those she touched. Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents, Herchell & Estella (Herron) Utley; Sister Dorothy J, Hill; Brothers, Gerald D. Utley and Carrol L. Utley; She is survived by her Husband, James Ramsey of Brentwood and Daughter, Lucinda Joy Ramsey of Phoenix; A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11 a.m Friday, June 22, 2018 in the Chapel of Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home with visitation to be held one hour prior. She will be laid to rest at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery near Providence, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers: contributions for checks may be mailed to: Plant America Community Project to the National Garden Clubs, Inc. 4401 Magnolia Ave., St. Louis MO 63110. Online donations by visiting http://www.gardenclub.org/projects/
Active Pallbearers: Steve Stratton, Ronnie Hill, Tyler Hill, Jimmie White, John Boucher, Corbin Easterling.
Honorary Pallbearers from the Arrangers and Growers Socity of Tennessee: Juanita Allinder, Peggy Andrews, Sherry Arnold, Wanda Copley, Kathy Crownover, Pam Dowd, Jerry Davis Drass, Bette Ann Fields, Susan Fisk, Fran Givens, Nancy Harris, Lynna Jackman, Lee Johnson, Leslee Dodd Karl, Pat Malone, Carolyn McLemore, Jean Richardson, Joyce Robertson, Kathy Rychen, Marilyn Sutcliffe, Diane Unmacht.
