Mildred Goodson Ramsey

Mrs. Ramsey was the daughter of the late Lilburn Kenneth Goodson and Ethel Ballard Goodson and grew up in Lincolnton, NC. She was Valedictorian of her high school class of 1948 at Rock Springs High School and married the class Salutatorian, James (Jim) Earl Ramsey, Jr., on May 15, 1952.

Together they shared many adventures, starting in Ft. Campbell, KY where Jim was stationed in the U.S. Army and in Pittsburgh, PA, where they moved for Jim’s first job assignment with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. In 1955 they moved to Raleigh, where Mildred was devoted to raising her three children. Jim and Mildred enjoyed traveling and over the years they visited many foreign countries and all 50 states. They were married for 49 years prior to Jim’s death in 2001.

While a lifelong Baptist, Mildred faithfully attended and supported Westover United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC for more than 50 years, singing in the choir, working with the United Methodist Women’s group, keeping the nursery, baking, cooking, volunteering in the church’s State Fair booth, record-keeping and serving other needs of the church over the years. She stayed busy outside the church as well, serving as a volunteer at Rex Hospital and Wake Medical Center for many years, delivering mail and flowers and comforting patients and families. She was especially close to her own extended family, including her four sisters and brother and their 12 children. She did not forget her older relatives in their frailer years, often making the three-hour trip from home to visit them. Mildred loved to spend time with her grandchildren, answering the call to babysit on many occasions.

Surviving are her two daughters and a son: Linda R. Goldston (David), Janet F. Ramsey (Neil O’Toole), and Nelson W. Ramsey (Kathleen Muga), all from the Triangle area. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Gregory O’Toole, Patrick Goldston, Kelly Goldston, Ava Ramsey and Matthew Ramsey and by her sisters, Joy Keever Hager, of Lincolnton, NC and Alice Jean Beidleman, of Concord, NC, as well as 11 nieces and nephews.

The Reverend Claire Clyburn will conduct a celebration of life service on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. at Mitchell’s Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment at Raleigh Memorial Park will follow the service.

The family would like to express appreciation to the staff of Seasons at Southpoint Memory Care Community in Durham, NC for their attentive and compassionate care of Mildred during the past three and a half years and to Heartland Hospice Care of Raleigh for their care during the last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westover United Methodist Church at www.WestoverUMC.org, Heartland Hospice Care at www.HeartlandHospice.com, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, or to the charity of one’s choice.