Nelson Ray Ramsey

RAMSEY, Nelson Ray “Fox,” 85, of Petersburg, VA, passed away suddenly on Wednesday September 2, 2020. He was predeceased by his parents Doris Tucker Ramsey and John Nelson Ramsey, two sisters Doris Ramsey Young and Nannette Ramsey Dyson, a brother Lewis Tucker Ramsey and a son Phillip Padgett Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey is survived by his loving wife Cornelia McNeill Padgett Ramsey (Connie); two daughters Catherine McNeill Ramsey and Kendall Ramsey DeLorier; grandsons, Peter “Beau” DeLorier and Evan DeLorier; nieces Ashley Ramsey Lewis (Scott), Charlene Padgett Ballard (Matt) and Susan Blanchard; nephews Lewis Tucker Ramsey Jr (Lisa), Kenneth Cooper Padgett (Stephanie), Christopher Blanchard (Amanda) and Lewis Blanchard; and numerous other extended family.
A lifelong resident of Petersburg, Mr. Ramsey was a member of a close-knit and loving family. They were actively involved in their church, Second Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, and all of its activities. Mr.Ramsey and his brother, Tucker, loved participating on their church’s basketball team in the city’s Church League. Wins came easily with the Ramsey boys on the team, I’m told. As he matured beyond the age of participating as a player, Mr. Ramsey became the coach … and the wins continued. Later in his adult life he would go on to serve his church as a deacon and as an elder, twice in each office.
After completing Petersburg High School, he entered the University of Virginia where he played football his first year and became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. When his father became seriously ill, it became necessary for him to move home to help and continued his college education at Randolph Macon College for his sophomore and junior years. Uncle Sam called out, “We Want You!” and he served his time in the United States Army, after which he completed his undergraduate degree at VCU and later earned his MA Degree at VSU.
Mr. Ramsey has long been known for his great love of being out among people. Wherever he traveled, there would always be at least one or two people there that he knew. If not, there would be three or four that knew and would remember him when he left. Mr. Ramsey loved his family deeply and he loved all of his friends, old and new. He had a very special kind of love for those with whom he worked, because they knew the importance and the complexities of the jobs they performed in education. He had a very special love for all of the students whose lives he touched with his “one-of-a-kind,” always fair, but tough love that managed to have such a positive influence on those students.
Memories of "Fox" would not be complete without acknowledging his ability to retain sports facts. He had a sports history encyclopedia packed away in his brain filled with college football, basketball and baseball facts. It was as if he had something akin to a photographic memory.
He had the same amazing memory of his hometown was and its founding and resident families. He could tell you about just about any family in Petersburg, all members, from the beginning of their Petersburg residency up to present day. This would include all of the celebratory moments as well as the ones no one wanted to celebrate.
Nelson "Fox" Ramsey was, is and will always be, loved. He has left an indelible mark on all who have met him. He has gone to be with his son, Phillip, and the rest of his family now in God's loving care but will remain in our hearts forever.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Saturday September 19th at Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss and Son Funeral Home. A memorial service will be planned for a date not yet decided upon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center at VCU Hospital, Christ and Grace Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .