Rev. Blaine Ramsey Jr.

The Life and Legacy of Rev. Blaine Ramsey, Jr. began with his birth in 1924 in Dewmaine, IL to Blaine and Lila Ramsey Sr. Rev. Ramsey was the oldest of five children. He was raised in East Saint Louis, IL where he attended East Saint Louis Lincoln H.S. graduating in 1942. His father Blaine Sr., a Southern Illinois coal miner, died when Blaine Jr. was 4 years old of "black lung disease”. This left his mother, who had been stricken with Polio, to raise 5 children on her own. It was a humble beginning but, with God's grace, Blaine found Christ at the age of 8 years old and was baptized by a Pentecostal preacher.

After graduating from high school, Rev. Ramsey was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in WW II with the Pacific Fleet in the Philippines. He served for 4 years with an honorable discharged in 1947 at the rank of Tech Sergeant. Many of the Black soldiers of that generation who returned home after helping to defeat the oppression and totalitarian rule of Nazi Germany, had to face similar oppression, discrimination and indignities in the U.S. that they had just put their lives on the line for.

Like many Black Americans who migrated to the North to find work after the war, Rev. Ramsey moved to Detroit Michigan. He worked several jobs that included the car industry, the city of Detroit and as a furniture store salesman for a Mr. Little who just so happened was the brother of Malcolm Little who later changed his name to Malcolm X. Malcolm worked at the furniture store with Rev. Ramsey to finish out his probation after his incarceration.

Rev. Ramsey knew then that education was the ticket to raising one’s self up from where they came from. So using the GI Bill, Rev. Ramsey began his college education at Fisk University in Nashville, TN and transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1957.

Rev. Ramsey then received his calling to the ministry. Shortly after he met and married a beautiful young secretary, Mattie, at Quinn Chapel AME Church in Flint, MI where she was raised and was member of that church. He was ordained into the A.M.E. church in 1957 at St. Paul A.M.E. church in Springfield, IL. Returning home, Rev. Ramsey began his first appointment in Pontiac, IL. To supplement his income, he began his work with the Veterans’ Family and Small Children division of DCFS.

In all Rev. Ramsey served faithfully in the ministry expanding God's kingdom for 50 years. His appointments included: Pontiac, IL 1958-1959; Cairo, IL Ward Chapel AME 1960-1963; Champaign, IL Bethel AME 1963-1968. From 1965-1968 Rev. would commute to Evanston IL each Monday night after meetings with his church officers to attend Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University to attain a Masters Degree in Theology. He then received appointment to Peoria, IL Ward Chapel AME church 1968-1970.

In 1970 Rev. Ramsey was asked to join the IL Counsel of Churches as the Associate Secretary Director of an Interdenominational Evangelical organization of churches on race and religion throughout the entire state of IL. It was at this time that he maintained his association with the AME church as an adjunct minister serving congregations that had open pulpits not yet filled. After missing the challenges of leading his own flock, Rev. sought and received an appointment to Quinn Chapel AME Church Flint, Mich. Ironically Mrs. Ramsey’s childhood church, serving from 1973-1976. Rev. Ramsey then was transferred to Maywood, IL Canaan AME church serving from 1976-1981. His ministerial and civic impact was felt immediately.

Because of Rev. Ramsey’s early community activism and a memorable 1963 incident in Cairo, IL when he couldn't take his son to the public pool because of "Jim Crow" segregation, Rev. Ramsey was drawn into the civil rights fight. He became highly involved with the movement and made the march on Washington for Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech in 1963, with a group of ministers from many religious denominations. This always led him to involve himself in community organizing and activism and to be aware of the inequalities that black people and their communities faced. So while serving as pastor of Canaan AME he decided to run for village trustee where he won and served with distinction for several years. His pastoral career continued when he was transferred to Gary, IN then St. James Elgin, and then to Davis Memorial in LaGrange, IL where he retired from the AME church at the age of 75.

Shortly after retirement he moved to Bolingbrook, IL.

However, Rev. Ramsey would not sit still. He signed up to substitute teach in the 385U school district. He completed a certificate of alcohol and drug abuse counseling and was hired at Interventions in Downers Grove, IL until federal funding ended his position. He would also become active with the Democratic Party in Bolingbrook. Needless to say he was overjoyed to live long enough to see America’s first black President Barak Obama. He did all this in his 80's.

Rev. Ramsey befriended many pastors and just loved people. In the Maywood community during his time at Canaan one in particular was the late Rev. T.H. Wade, founder and pastor of the Rock of Ages Baptist church who was still serving when Rev. Ramsey came to Maywood. Rev. Wade was followed by current Pastor, Marvin E. Wiley, and another pastoral friendship was kindled. On a visit to a nearby church, Rev. Ramsey’s bright spirit caught the attention of the Pastor. A new friendship was born between him and Pastor Smokie Norful.  Rev. Ramsey, shortly after, joined Victory Cathedral Worship Center and became an active member, advisor and instructor. Pastor Smokie Norful graciously named his Leadership and Spiritual Growth Curriculum The Blaine Ramsey Leadership Institute in Honor of Rev. Ramsey.

Rev. Ramsey has touched and impacted so many lives across all ages. To numerous to mention. He was able to relate everyone in his own special way. We have benefited from his life in both the ministry and the civil rights for all. We were blessed and proud to call you Husband, Father and “Papa”!

Timothy 4:7-8 says in Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Well done Rev. Ramsey, well done!

Rev. Ramsey is preceded in death by his Father: Blaine Sr.; Mother: Lila; Brothers: Wayne and Arthur; Sisters: Eileen and Ellen; Daughter Della-Marie (Tony); Great Grandson: Timothy Gerald.

Rev. Ramsey leaves to cherish his memory, Wife Mattie; Sons Blaine (Audrey) and Wesley Edward; Grandchildren: Alexis, Lauren Pollard (Samuel), Brittany, Tony, Camille, Jera, Nyah, and many nieces, nephews and friends.