Helen H. Ramey (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Helen H. Ramey, daughter of William Samuel and Edna Mae McGorder Terry, was born July 8, 1922, in Gravois Mills, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, February 14, 2017, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-four years, six months, and six days.
On December 10, 1943, she was united in marriage to George M. Ramey and to this union four daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George, in 1965; a granddaughter, Yvonne Hopkins; a brother, John Terry; and two sisters, Mary Eis and Dorothy Garrison.
Helen is survived by four daughters, Patricia June Malone, and her husband, Albert, of Norwood, Missouri, Georgia Mowry, and her husband, Don R., of Springfield, Missouri, Merry Elaine Brandt, and Judy Ann Strutton, and her husband, Lonnie, all of Lebanon, Missouri; six grandchildren, Lee, Cindy, Jeannie, Lisa, Cheri and Lori; eleven great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Anthony, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Faye Finney, of Stoutland, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in the Eldon community and then moved with her family to Jefferson City, where she and her brother and sisters used to play in the Missouri State Capitol. When Helen was eleven years old, the family moved to Laclede County for a time, but also lived in several other places including Oklahoma during the depression years. Helen then moved to Kansas City where she worked as a telephone operator from 1942 until 1943. While working the switchboard one day, she received a call from the actor, Errol Flynn, who was staying at the Muehlbach Hotel. Once she and George were married, they made their home in Florida for a time while George was serving in World War II, and Helen worked in a parachute factory. When the war ended, she and George moved back to the Rippy community, near Lebanon, and purchased a farm. Helen was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family and helped in the operation of the farm. She also worked at the Rice-Stix Factory for a few years. In 1968, Helen sold the farm and moved to the Detherage community. For the last several years, Helen had enjoyed living in Harwood Manor.
Helen made her profession of faith early in her life and was baptized in the Welch’s pond near Lebanon on a cold winter day when there was ice on the ground. She was a faithful member of Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon for over fifty years.
In her spare time she enjoyed raising a garden, canning her homegrown produce, sewing, and quilting. Helen had hand pieced a quilt for each of her children and all of her grandchildren. She liked being outdoors where she enjoyed growing beautiful flowers, and bird watching. She also enjoyed reading Harlequin mysteries and collecting thimbles, of which she had over 175. She was known for her keen memory and was always steadfast in her convictions. Her family was very dear to her and she especially enjoyed having time with her grandchildren and greats.
Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she leaves behind a loving legacy that her family will treasure forever.
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