Gilda J. Ramsey's Obituary
RAMSEY, Gilda J., age 81, of Waynesville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties.
Born and raised in Rockholds, Kentucky, in Whitley County, Gilda carried her Appalachian roots proudly throughout her life and always cherished returning to Kentucky and Tennessee, places that held some of her most treasured memories. Gilda graduated from Fulton High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, class of ‘64. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Waynesville, where she began working at Tibbs Restaurant. It was there that she met the love of her life, Leroy Ramsey, beginning a devoted marriage that would span 55 wonderful years. Throughout her life, Gilda worked in many roles, including owning and operating her own upholstery business, working at the historic Golden Lamb, Wayne Local Schools, and later running a self-employed cleaning business. No matter the task before her, Gilda had a remarkable ability to figure things out and make anything she set her mind to become a reality.
A gifted seamstress and upholsterer, Gilda was especially talented at creating beautiful curtains and restoring furniture with care and precision. She took tremendous pride in her home, rebuilding much of it from the studs up and turning it into a warm and beautiful place for the family to gather. She used Waverly print and created an immaculate little doll house with a wrap-around porch with a slider on the front porch. Her immaculate yard, with its flowers, reflected the pride and love she poured into everything she did. She had a green thumb and could grow beautiful flowers, and barely had any weeds in her flower beds due to her diligently pulling them by hand. Gilda also had a passion for baking and cooking and was especially known for her cheesecakes and homemade meals. She was a first-place winner in bake-off competitions held at the Mary L. Cook Public Library and loved sharing food with those around her. Family reunions in Rockholds, Kentucky, brought her great joy each year, and she treasured time spent with those she loved most. In addition, she loved to travel. Some of her favorite destinations included Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, St. Louis, Missouri, Florida, Disney World when the Magic Kingdom was first debuted, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville. Though she could be firm and strong-minded, Gilda was deeply caring, kind-hearted, and always willing to help others whenever needed.
Gilda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leroy, in 2021; her parents, John and Nannie Stewart; her three brothers, Paul Stewart, Chester Stewart, and Robert Stewart; her four sisters, Colleen Hammer, Sue Biggs, Patsy Colwell, and Martha Stewart; and four brothers-in-law, Charles Hammer, Charles Biggs, Ray Colwell, and Ed Murphy. She is survived by her daughter, Angela Croucher; two grandsons, Douglas (Michala) Croucher and Andrew Croucher; great-grandson, Felix Croucher; and her three sisters, Viola (Joe) Powell, Donna Murphy, and Naomi (Steve) Logan.
Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Ray Phillips will be officiating. Burial will be at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. The family will receive friends from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.stubbsconner.com.
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