Margaret Anne Ramsey

Margaret Anne Ramsey was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on August 20, 1922, where she was adopted by Emmanual and Lydia Gorman. The family would move to Rock Island, Illinois, when Margaret was about 8 years old. She was educated in the Rock Island Public School system.

Following her graduation from high school, Margaret married William Banks Sr. Later in life, they were blessed with a son, William Banks Jr. William Banks Sr. would eventually pass away. In 1949, Margaret married John Ramsey; and family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1950, Margaret and John were blessed again with three children; Rickie, Ronnie and Michelle Ramsey.

Margaret, or "Margo" as she was known to many, worked hard, loved life and loved her family even more. She was the glue that held them together. Margo was a child of the great depression, so it was very important to her that her children had more opportunities than she had while she was growing up. This was a lesson they never forgot. In fact, it is something they pass on to their children to this day. She was a member of Bethel A.M.E church as well as Shiloh Baptist Church. Margaret was devoted to her family, so most of her free time was spent chasing after her children and grandchildren. She also loved listening to the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and others.

Margaret left to join her Lord on Monday, November 13, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmanual and Lydia Gorman; her first husband, William Banks Sr.; her second husband, John Ramsey; her sons, William Banks Jr., Ronnie Ramsey and her granddaughter, TaJuana Banks.

She is survived by her son, Rickie Ramsey of St. Paul, Minnesota; daughter, Michelle Strickland of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Nakiya Ramsey, Ricci Smalls, Ricky and Michael Strickland; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Homegoing Celebration









Saturday, December 2, 2017

Starts at 1:00pm









Hope+Elim (Formerly First Christian Church)