B. J. Ramsey

B.J. Ramsey, Jr. (Beverly J. Ramsey, Jr.), retired attorney of Jefferson City, TN died peacefully on October 11, 2011. He was born in Hancock County, TN in 1925, the son of B.J. Ramsey, Sr. and Maysie Leedy Ramsey, who both preceded him in death. He volunteered in 1943 at age 17 during the World War II while enrolled as a freshman at the University of Tennessee, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Specialized Training Program. After Army sponsored engineering courses at North Carolina State University he and all those inducted into the Specialized Training Program were transferred to the 87th Infantry Division and prepared for combat in the European Theatre. He achieved the rank of Sergeant-Squad Leader in a heavy machine gun squad, and served in England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany in three major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, receiving a Purple Heart medal with Oak Leaf cluster for combat injuries, and was granted a medical discharge in 1945, while still 19. After discharge from the army, he taught math for one year at the old Jefferson City Grammar School and in 1946 resumed his pre-law and then his legal education at the University of Tennessee, and married Vivian Ely on March 20, 1948. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College Of Law in 1949 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and honorary scholastic membership in The Order of the Coif and Phi Kappa Phi Society. He began law practice immediately after graduation in the law firm of Ben S. Catlett, becoming a partner in the firm and later a partner with O.D. Bridges. He retired in 2007 after 58 years as a Jefferson City attorney, and during his career served many years as President of First National Bank. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City since 1947, and a member of the Jefferson City Civitan Club since 1951. He was preceded in death by an infant sister; and sisters, Joyce Hope Coleman and Annette Turner. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Vivian, and two children; daughter, Sandra Dickenson (Tom); and son, Brent Ramsey (Beth); five grandchildren, Aaron Dickenson (Claire), Brent Dickenson (Eliza), Paul Dickenson, Laurel and Kelsie Ramsey; great grandson, Baylor Thomas Dickenson; sister, Kay Youngs; brother, Dr. C. Boyd Ramsey (B.J.); and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Wahid Hanna, his staff and the entire 12th East Floor Staff at U.T. Hospital for their compassionate care. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2011 at First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City with Rev. Doug Wilder officiating. Graveside interment service will follow after the service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. Family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Endowment for Youth Ministries of the Jefferson City First United Methodist Church, 2011 Branner Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN 865-475-3892