Helen Margaret Greek Ramser

Helen Margaret Greek Ramser died August 9, 2007, in Athens, Georgia. A resident of Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in Athens, Georgia, since November 2005, she had previously resided at 190 Ashton Drive for 35 years. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2001, she courageously maintained a gracious demeanor, grateful heart and sense of humor which endeared her to all those who knew and cared for her. Though diminutive in size, she was a woman of great strength, fiercely independent, loyal and generous to friends and family with a beautiful smile that could light up a room.

Born to Harold B. and Esther A. (Ebersole) Greek on September 30, 1925, in Alliance, Ohio, she graduated from Alliance High School in 1944 and was nominated by her teachers to give the senior address. Upon graduation, she worked as a phlebotomist at Alliance City Hospital and as a dental assistant. On January 5, 1947, she married her high school sweetheart, Forrest Lee Ramser in Alliance, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Paul H. Greek.

Mrs. Ramser is survived by her husband of 60 years, Forrest L. Ramser of Watkinsville, Georgia; a daughter, Janet Lee Burd (Charlie) of Watkinsville, Georgia; Mark A. Ramser (Jean) of Zionsville, Indiana, and Fred M. Ramser (Betty Jo) of Goshen, Indiana. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Christine Brubaker of Sunbury, North Carolina; Laura Brubaker Sparr (David) of Watkinsville, Georgia; Forrest M. Ramser (Courtney) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Adam Ramser of Indianapolis, Indiana; Seth Ramser of Lafayette, Indiana; and Kyle Ramser of Goshen, Indiana; two step-grandsons, Aaron Kelly of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Michael Verrill of Zionsville, Indiana; and two great-grandchildren, Skylar and Zachary Sparr of Watkinsville, Georgia.

Mrs. Ramser was a member of Athens Christian Church, the Roadrunners and Homewood Hills Garden Club. A resident of Athens, Georgia, since 1970, she traveled extensively with her husband supporting him fully in his business and philanthropic endeavors, of which Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia, a job training facility for developmentally disabled adults, was a favorite. Though unable to attend college, Mrs. Ramser assisted several young people to attain their goal of a college education and helped others learn to read using the Laubach method.

Visitation will be Monday August 13, 2007, at Lord and Stephens West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Bogart, Georgia, from 5-8 p.m. with funeral services in the Chapel at Lord and Stephens West on Tuesday, August 14 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home in Alliance, Ohio, Thursday, August 16, 2007, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with a funeral service at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in Alliance City Cemetery, Alliance, Ohio.

Donations in memory of Mrs. Ramser can be made to Hope Haven of North East Georgia, the Forrest L. and Helen M. Ramser Scholarship Fund at Atlanta Christian College and the Alzheimer's Association.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all," Proverbs 13:28-29

Lord and Stephens West, Bogart, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements. (8-11-07)