Andrea "Mama Gail" Gail (Thompson) Ramey

As many in Rabun County knew her, our beloved Andrea Gail Thompson Ramey, affectionately known as "Mama Gail", went to be with the Lord Saturday, February 9, 2012.

Gail and two of her daughters, Denise, her youngest child and Elisha, her middle child were returning home from an afternoon of shopping when they were hit head-on by an oncoming car.

Gail loved her husband Edwin L. Ramey and her four children, David Nolan Ramey, Jessica Marie Ramey, Elisha Dawn Ramey, and Denise Nicole Ramey; and her two granddaughters, Madisyn Andrea Ramey, and Savannah Alicia Pastor, were the joy of her life. Anyone who ever met her knew about her granddaughter, "Boo". Gail would always tell you that Boo was "smarter than a two headed worm!" She always had a supply of the latest Boo stories and a photograph or two of Boo and her baby sister, Savannah. Also surviving are brothers, Anthony Thompson and Victor Thompson.  She was preceded in death by her parents Joe Thompson and Carrie Beck Thompson, and one brother, Alan Thompson.

Gail loved her job! Every kid in Rabun County School had a little dose of Mama Gail love.  Some of them got that love in the form of a big Mama Gail hug, some got it in the form of a friendly word of encouragement and some of them got it in the form of a big Mama Gail style lecture that contained phrases like," if you do.. or don't do... I'm gonna sit on you and squish your guts out!"

All the kids had benefit of her prayers. She knew which kids had problems going on in their life and she prayed for them. She called their name out to the Lord. She felt a personal obligation to try to make a difference in each child she met. She will surely be missed by the children of Rabun County.

Gail loved her biker buddies. She loved to "feel the wind on her face." I can hear her telling me how wonderfully free and light she felt when she rode her Harley. She loved the biker people. She said they were accepting of others, warts and all... She felt comfortable and accepted within their community.

Gail loved to tout her "Appalachian American" heritage. She wore it proudly, like a badge. She wasn't a Hillbilly and she wasn't a redneck. She was a "Proud Appalachian American". She loved the old timey mountain ways. Bluegrass music ran in her veins. She manifested the simple lifestyle of a bygone generation. She wanted her wood fire, a pot of her favorite thing in life...taters, her family gathered around her and she was happy.

Most of all, Gail loved the Lord. She wanted to tell the whole world about her Savior, Jesus Christ. She said she had wasted so much time. She believed she was put here to spread the word of the Gospel and she didn't start until late in her life. She wanted to "catch up and not waste any more time".  She told everyone she met, "No matter what you have done, God loves you".

If you would like to honor Gail, "Pay it forward" to someone else. Her morning post on Facebook always included a request to pay it forward to someone and to remember that God loves you. Do it in her honor. Gail would love it if she thought she made other people happier.

A Memorial Service for “Mama Gail” will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the Rabun County High School Fine Arts Building.

A Gail Ramey Family Fund Account has been established at Rabun County Bank to assist in the care and recovery of Elisha Ramey. Donations may be mailed to: Gail Ramey Family Fund, P.O. Box 845, Clayton, GA 30525

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

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