of Batesville, AR
October 12, 1945 - June 30, 2023
Carlos Ray Ramsey, Sr. made his earthly entry on October 12, 1945 to the late Willie and Nettie Ramsey in Batesville, Arkansas. "Peter" as he was affectionately known in his childhood, was the youngest of three children and embodied a spirit of exploration and innovation, being intentional in all of his childhood endeavors!
Carlos was an avid reader and a secret scholar. He loved National Geographic, CNN, PBS programs and everything pertaining to history, specifically, indigenous African and African American studies. In addition, he was an athlete, with an affection for basketball and played during summer leagues throughout Arkansas. Carlos was a 1963 graduate of Eliza Miller High School in West Helena, Arkansas and continued his educational endeavors at AM&N in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, now The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; where he met the love of his life, Lavone Denise Pickens. To their union, two children were born; Carlos Jr., and Collette Rise'.
Upon moving to Detroit, Michigan he initially worked at Chrysler Corporation as a welder and dreamed of higher aspirations, which included serving as a City of Detroit Police Officer. On the heels of the civil unrest and riots, Carlos was committed to both serving and protecting the citizens of Detroit, as well as his fellow officers and never wavered in any dangerous situation. Upon being injured in the line of duty, Carlos had entrepreneurial endeavors and returned to Arkansas and opened R&P (Ramsey & Pickens) Liquor in Pine Bluff. After much success, Carlos decided to return to this hometown of Batesville where he raised angus cattle and farm raised catfish.
Carlos was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and loved both Sunday School and Wednesday Night Bible Study. He truly loved God with all his being and would often share with others that he was only here by God's grace.
Carlos was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Nettie Ramsey; sister, Serene Desquare and son, Carlos Ray Ramsey, Jr. Carlos made his heavenly departure on June 30, 2023 at the White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Lavone Ramsey; daughters, Collette Ramsey of Detroit, MI and Marguerite Brown-Ramsey of Aurora, CO; sister, Willie C Strong of Batesville, Arkansas; brother, Norman Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Malikka V. Kayhill and Makayla L. Kayhill-Walton of Aurora, CO, Jesse T. Hall Jr. (Kristy) of Jacksonville, FL, Jahlil T. Hall of Brooklyn, NY; five great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be Don Crawford, Ben Earl, Jr., Ralph Grant, Tommy Harper, Jr., Arthur Montgomery and Manrecio Neely. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Harper, Sr., Terry McCurn, Andy Montgomery, Daniel Smith and Eliza Miller High School - Class of 1963. Flower bearers will be the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Sunday School and Bible Study Class.
A homegoing celebration will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Lawrence Butler, Jr. officiating. Committal, Ceremonial Flight and Interment will follow at Ruddell Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the church prior to service.
Expressions of Thanks:
The family of Mr. Carlos Ray Ramsey, Sr. wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, prayers, floral tributes, visits and other expressions of kindness and concern that have helped to console our grieving hearts. May God continue to shower His blessings upon each and every one of you. The Family
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss Mrs. Ramsey, Collette & family. Sending prayers, love and condolences to all. May GOD continue to give you strength in the days ahead .
Sorry to hear about your lost, I will be praying for the entire family's strength in the coming days. Much love to all.
Dear Lavone and family
Truly sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and thinking about you at this timeâ¤ï¸
Love
Wilma
708-347-9075
To the family and relatives of Carlos, you have my family's deepest sympathy and condolences. As a member of his extended family, we met late in life. His jovial approachability and openness was a catalyst for many long conversations on the phone. The stories of family and the advice, support, and wisdom he openly extended to me has not been taken lightly. His strength, his wisdom, his courage, and his eloquence made him one of our warriors and esteemed elders. I will carry the memories he created with me for always and forever, with both tears and a smile, for it was not of happenstance that God finally allowed our paths to cross. May his family members and friends find peace, comfort, courage, and love in this time of sorrow.
My prayers for the family..
To the amazing Ramsey family my sincere condolences for your loss, may God continue to keep you in his graces, Love Forever Debi H
Rest in peace friend. I'll miss our visits at the post office.
Aunt Lavone and Collette,
We are thinking of you as you walk through this difficult time. We are asking God to show you His love in unmistakable ways. On behalf of the Evans family, we extend our sincerest condolences.
Love,
Mattie, Jackie, Janice and Farae
I am very sorry for the loss of Carlos (Peter). My condolences to the wife and family. May God please his arms around you for comfort. In the blessed name of Jesus.
My condolences to my family. I have not many of you, me & Peter knew each other & whenever in town I stopped by to talk to him. He will be missed.
To the family of Peter Ramsey, I am truly sorry for your loss. To know him was to love him, and my family truly loved Peter. If I can do anything for you during this time of grief, please let me know. You are all in my prayers.
My deepest and sincere condolences to the family.
My condolences to the family ðŸ™ðŸ˜”
My sincerest condolences to the entire family. He was truly a warm soul. My mom, Minerva, always spoke highly of her cousin "Peter".
Prayers and condolences to the family. May the Lord keep you in perfect peace.
I’m really going to miss my buddy, friend/cousin. In his own words he would say, “God is in me, and I am in Him. All is well with me and mine.†May God’s love, grace and mercy give you peace. Sending my heartfelt love to the family.
Condolences to the family, our earthly loss is heavens gain. You will be missed!
Family of Carlos, you have my deepest sympathy and condolences. "Peter" as we all knew him when growing up in Arkansas was very intelligent, smart educated, knowledgeable, so very handsome and just an overall great guy. He will be missed. My prayer is that God give you His peace as only He can during this difficult time.
With our Deepest Condolences. May God continue to give you strength in the days ahead. Keeping you and family in prayer.