Clifford Ramsey, 1903-2003

  Born at Sydnorsville, just south of Rocky Mount, on Feb. 16, 1903, Clifford Ramsey was the son of the late Dyer Woodson Ramsey and his wife Minnie Florence Matthews, leading citizens of Franklin County, Va. Clifford had four brothers and three sisters. "All eight of us went to college," he said. "The brothers entered business and the sisters became teachers. The product that I sold was designed to keep my brothers honest," he reported. First educated at Ferrum Training School and Randolph-Macon College, he received his theological training at Emory University.

  He was a sensitive lad, often seen praying on a hillside for friends in need. In the early years, he was a teacher and then superintendent of his home church Sunday school (Bethlehem in Sydnorsville). It was while serving South Franklin that he courted and married the very attractive and talented Miss Mary Washburn of Snow Creek (which he considered the single most important event of his life). In subsequent years, there were three children: Leon Clifford Ramsey (1935); Molly Kathryn (1938); and James Calvin (1940).

  After three happy years on the South Franklin Charge, he moved to the Cascade Circuit in the Danville District in 1933. The people there remembered the fine quality of his youthful ministry. In 1935 they were assigned to the Capron District, Southampton County. One member wrote, "I remember your ministry at Joyner Church and your preaching strictly from the Bible the Word of God undiluted." Upon the death of the minister there, Clifford was moved mid-year to a promising church in Hilton Village. He was the eighth minister to serve this community and it presented a challenging opportunity for this new 36-year-old pastor. The foundations were laid for this church to soon become First Church, Warwick County (now Newport News). In 1945, he and his family were moved to Broad Street, Portsmouth. Some of the people there remembered, "We admired your organizational ability and you inspired the young people"; "I think our church progressed more during your pastorate than at any other period."

  From Portsmouth, successive moves took him to Calvary Church, Arlington; and then First Church, Salem (1949). At First Church, he encountered his greatest challenge. He was pastor to college students, faculty, and townspeople. He successfully managed the movement of the church to a new and finer location which provided greater room for expansion of congregation and services. He was remembered there as working "day and night watching over the construction of our lovely building" and "the transition of the location of our church, under your leadership, was made without a dissenting vote." First Church went on to lead the Roanoke District in new members received.

  His subsequent moves took him to Wesley Memorial in Richmond (1953); Oakton in Fairfax County (1958); St. Lukes in Falls Church (1962); St. Andrews, Alexandria (1965); and Highland Springs in Richmond (1968). At all his pastorates, there were individuals who wrote glowing commendations.

  Upon retirement in 1972, Clifford and Mary returned to their beloved Sydnorsville and to a newly constructed home which they called "MerryCliff.’ Here they resided for 23 years until, in 1995, they moved to The Hermitage in Richmond to live out the rest of their lives. Mary departed this life to be with the Lord on June 14, 2001, and Clifford followed her on Nov. 28, 2003, at the age of 100.