Martha Elizabeth May Ramsey

Martha Elizabeth May Ramsey, "Gran", 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday, December 6, in Gilmer, TX. Gran was born March 10, 1925 in Wards Creek in Bowie County, TX to J.W. and Louie Jane Barrett. She graduated from James Bowie High School and later married Harold "Hub" May. After losing Hub to cancer in 1960, Gran entered nursing school and later worked in the Shreveport area as a nurse as she raised her four children. She later relocated to Longview, TX where she obtained her real estate license. She sold real estate for 15 years and received many awards in the business. Gran married David Ramsey in 1987. They were together until his death in 2005. Gran loved politics, current events and mother nature. She adopted whales and planted trees in her grandchildren's names. She loved flowers and plants and could grow anything. She was instrumental in the erection of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Logansport, LA in July 1998. Gran was a breast cancer survivor and she wrote and published her book "To Cry or Not to Cry" which is her life story and her personal experience with breast cancer. She put a mustard seed in every book to remind everyone how small a detectable cancer cell is and for all women to have yearly mammograms. During her illness, Gran adopted her best friend, a cat "Sugar" from the pound. Sugar stayed by Gran's side constantly and was sunshine in her life. Gran is survived by four children, Sammy May and wife Charlotte, Rose Lee, Sue East and husband Larry, and Gary May and wife Brenda. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sam Jr., Suzanne, Gary Paul, Bridget and husband Craig, Brian and wife Bobbi, Clayton, Brad and wife Kasi, Nathan and Kathleen, Larry J. and wife Adelle, and Curtis. Her great-grandchildren include Alexis, Jade, Toby, Conner and Eli. Also surviving is her sister Lue Hargrave and several nieces and nephews. Gran was predeceased by her husband Hub May and second husband David Ramsey, her granddaughter Christy May, brother J.W. "Dick" Barrett, Jr. and sister Jane Camp. Visitation will be at 1:00pm at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, TX on Friday December 10. Services will immediately follow at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Rosewood Park Cemetery in Longview, TX. A special thanks to Mike and Jennifer from Legacy Hospice and Julane, David and Robin from Beacon Hospice and Margaret's House, they were truly a Godsend. Gran's children, Sammy, Rose and Gary want to thank their sister Sue and her husband Larry for their unselfish and loving care they provided in their home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Pallbearers will be Gary Paul May, Brad East, Clayton May, Larry Hye, Dewie East and Craig Oberlander. Gran was a very special lady and leaves us all a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Martha Elizabeth May Ramsey

March 10, 1925 - December 6, 2010