The Cherished Life of My Beloved Husband, Pastor, Father, Grandfather, Godfather, Spiritual Father, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Mentor & Friend.
Apostle James A. Ramsey was born July 11, 1956, in Mooresville, North Carolina, the fifth child of the union of Reverend Roscoe W. Ramsey and Fannie Nixon Ramsey, deceased.
Apostle Ramsey completed four years duty with the United States Air Force and relocated to Ithaca, NY where he met Gwenderlyn on Christmas Eve 1984, and he married her on New Years Eve 1985.
Before moving to Endicott James completed his elementary and high school education in public schools of Mooresville, NC. Apostle Ramsey continued his education at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC completing one year majoring in Music.
In his role as a dedicated husband, and pastor, Church and his family were on the top of his list every day. He always had a conversation to tell us how the Lord showed him something. Sunday was dedicated to the Lord in his home! James was known for his love of Christmas! He liked all the Hallmark Christmas Stories on every channel. Christmas music was played year-round in our home and in his car. James had a Christmas Village in our lower level, and he was always adding pieces to enhance the village to resemble a little city. He enjoyed cooking and was quite the chef in the kitchen. He watched cooking programs and had a library of cooking books and magazines. Andy Griffin, Green Acres, and the Golden Girls were his nighttime programs. He could recite most of the dialog from the shows by memory.
Apostle Ramsey was a dedicated worker in whatever capacity the Lord led him. James served four years and four months in the United States Air Force. He was an Administration Specialist and received the following honors while serving our country: Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon. James accepted the Lord on February 17, 1976. He received the following licenses to preach the gospel: Rhein-Main Air Base Gospel Service Germany July 17, 1983. Jerusalem Baptist Church, Mooresville, NC September 30, 1984, Faith Evangelistic Church August 27, 1989, elevated to the Office of Evangelist, Church of God in Christ Ordination August 7, 1999, elevated to Elder. September 2004 Elder Ramsey founded New Fellowship Church, Endicott, NY. James has held the following ministry positions – Member of the former Binghamton Community Gospel Choir, Broome and Tioga County Jail Ministry, and also Elmira Correctional Facility Jail Ministry Elmira, New York.
Apostle Ramsey had a beautiful tenor/baritone voice. He hosted yearly gospel concerts for over 30 years in Broome and surrounding area. His first concert was held at Faith Evangelistic Church with the theme An Evening with James Ramsey “We Shall Be Hold Him” The concerts evolved into a Christmas Dinner Concert “A Celebration of Love” held the first Friday in December design to start the Christmas season. He was a member of the original Binghamton Community Gospel Choir. James has sung all over Broome County for Weddings, Homegoings, and Community events. He also sang the National Anthem at the Binghamton Baseball Stadium, and for the grand opening of the Walmart Superstore on the Vestal Parkway and was invited to sing at the Boy Scouts of America Eagles awards ceremonies. James won the first Binghamton Idol Talent Search, and the Arrowhead Christian Idol hosted during the Spiedie Festival. He is the past Advisor for the Binghamton Chapter of AGLOW having served many years. He was the CEO of James Ramsey Ministry hosting conferences to encourage men to serve Jesus. Through the years he served his local church in the following ministries: Chairman Men Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Jail/Prison Ministry, Choirs, Media Ministry, Evangelism and Outreach. He was a Lifetime Member of his home church Faith Temple Community Church, Elmira New York. His hands were always busy for the Lord.
His employment included the following: Blue Shield of Western New York: Medicare Service Representative, Plant Engineering (security) IBM Owego, Mail Courier NYSE&G Ithaca, NY. He retired from NYSE&G as the Cashier (nickname “Duck Man”) having served 30 years. His part time retirement job was a cashier for The Greater Goods Grocery Store in Binghamton, NY.
Apostle Ramsey was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Roscoe W. Ramsey and Fannie Nixon Ramsey, Stepmother Velma M. Smith Ramsey,
Father & Mother In- Law Jesse Reed & Dr. Allene Reed. Spiritual Father Superintendent Leo Hughey Jr. Stepsisters Doris Hall, Geraldine Mayhew, and Stepbrother Ernest Smith.
There is nothing that James loved more than the Lord, his wife, and his family. The spiritual leader of our family Apostle James A. Ramsey was born into eternal life on Friday, March 1,2024. Left to cherish his loving memories are his wife of 38 years Gwenderlyn Ramsey of Endicott, NY; daughters LeShaun Nevels (James) of Wilmington DE and Shelan Wilson of Nashville, TN. Spiritual Mom Dr. Wilma Hughey of Elmira, NY. Spiritual Sons John Marrow (Stacy), Ronnie McKinney (Collean), Spiritual Daughters Pamela Robinson, Aubrey Lyon, Lady Portia Barnett (Frank), Joan Shinault, Granddaughters Victoria Nevels, Makenzie Wilson, Laylah Wilson, and Michaela Marrow. Grandson James Bradley Nevels, Godchildren Constance Judge, Lateisha Ulrich (Benson), Alondra Hughes, Xavian Hughes, Joshua Walford, Sisters Vivian Brandon of Mooresville, NC, Glenda Walker (Calemeze) of Ithaca, NY, Frances Johnson (Melton) of Mooresville, NC, Martha Ramsey of Mooresville, NC, Brothers Dr. Roscoe Ramsey, MD (Patricia) of Brooklyn, NY, Rev David Ramsey of Hickory, NC, Stepsisters Barbara Smith of Corpus Christie, TX, Blanch Smith Sherrill (James) Mooresville, NC, Stepbrother Charlie Smith Jr. of Statesville, NC, and a host of Nephews, Nieces, Cousins, Friends, extended family and relatives, and especially his New Fellowship Church Family.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 11 AM at New Fellowship Church, 1600 Tracy Street, Endicott. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 15th at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main Street, Endicott, from 4-7 PM. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to, New Fellowship Church for the Elevator Fund.