Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 15, 2025

 CHARLOTTE - Mary Jane Newman Ramsey, 87, of Charlotte, NC died peacefully on Tuesday, July 15.

Mary Jane is survived by her sons, Michael Lee Ramsey (Cecelia) of Charlotte, NC, and Neal Dudley Ramsey (Melissa) of Oakton, VA; three grandchildren: Lee Ramsey (Emily) of Winston-Salem, NC, Anna Kate Ramsey of Charlotte, NC, and Jordan Ramsey of Oakton, VA; and great-grandson, Hudson Lee Ramsey of Winston-Salem, NC.

Mary Jane, a proud native of Charlotte, was born on December 9, 1937, in the old St. Peters Hospital, to Broadus and Kate Newman. Mary Jane was an only child and, after her parents separated at age 5, was raised by her mother. Mary Jane graduated from Myers Park High School as a member of the class of 1955. She deeply cherished the many lifelong relationships from that class.

After attending Winthrop University for two years, she met her future husband, John Lee Ramsey, Jr. of Roanoke, VA on a blind date. They were married December 20, 1958, at Myers Park Methodist Church. They were married for 62 years until John’s death in 2020.

Mary Jane and John began their life together in Roanoke, VA, where their children, Michael and Neal, were born. They then lived in Lynchburg for a few years and in 1972 returned to Mary Jane’s hometown of Charlotte.

Mary Jane and John were long time members of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she became immersed in the community of faith by serving on numerous committees and working side-by-side with John. The bonds formed here sustained her until the day she died.

Mary Jane was a woman of great determination and an example of that was her decision to complete her education in her late forties. She attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC and proudly walked across the stage to receive her degree in Marketing in 1984, with her family cheering her on.

She began her post-graduate career in Marketing at Southminster and Merrywood on Park. Soon thereafter, she obtained her realtor’s license and began selling real estate. Mary Jane had found her passion. She worked initially for Prudential and then for Helen Adams Realty. She cherished her colleagues as well as her clients.

The family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Reza Nazemzadeh and his team at Levine Cancer Center Southpark for their kindness, empathy, and compassion. Mary Jane cherished her doctor-patient relationship and truly enjoyed her monthly visits with Dr. Reza, who we fondly called her “boyfriend”.

In addition, the family wishes to thank the wonderful Med Techs and Aids at Brookdale South Charlotte who cared for Mary Jane with such love and tenderness.  

Mary Jane enjoyed delivering meals for Friendship Trays for years. For that reason, the family asks that for those who would like, donations can be made in her honor to www.nourishup.org.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204. A reception will follow at the church.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.