Vance-Granville Community College honors the late Reverend Dr. Willie T. Ramey III (1945–2024). At the time of his passing on June 8, Rev. Dr. Ramey was in active service on the VGCC Board of Trustees. He was a native of Henderson.
Life and Legacy
Education was extremely important to Trustee Ramey. He was a graduate of North Warren High School in Wise; Shaw University in Raleigh, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Religion; North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he received a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration; East Carolina University in Greenville, where he received an Ed.S. in School Administration, Level II Superintendence; and American Theological Seminary in Milledgeville, GA, where he received a Doctor of Divinity in the Division of Practical Theology. He championed education for all.
Rev. Dr. Ramey led a life of service. He served as President of North Carolina Retired School Personnel and Chairperson of the NCRSP Administrative Council and Executive Board, and he served NCRSP in numerous state-level roles as well. Additionally, he was a member on the North Carolina Association of Education Executive Board and a life member of the National Educational Association (NEA). He was Past First Vice-Chair of the Vance County Democratic Party and a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party’s Executive Committee. Trustee Ramey was a Charter member Rho Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., serving as its president for 16 years. He served as senior pastor for the Ridgeway Missionary Baptist Church for 46 years.
On June 30, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Rev. Dr. Ramey to the VGCC Board of Trustees to fulfill the remainder of the late Andrea Harris’ unexpired term. He was later reappointed to a four-year Board term in June 2022. He served on the Building and Investment committees.
Rev. Dr. Ramey is survived by his wife, Betty Jones Ramey; his children, Justin Ramey, Willie T. Ramey IV, and Donza Cole; his siblings, Wilhemina Brown, Renee Tishkevich, and Cornelius Ramey; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the memory of Rev. Willie T. Ramey III to The NC Foundation for Public School Children.
- Mail checks to 3700 Glenwood Avenue Suite 510, Raleigh, NC 27612
- Give online at ncfpsc.org
A memorial service will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center on Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m.
