Reverend Eugene Ramsey
October 1, 1930 – May 9, 2026
Eugene Ramsey was born to Floyd and Catherine Ramsey on October 1, 1930, in Washington County,
Ohio.  He went home to his heavenly Father on May 9th, 2026. He was a faithful and humble servant
leader who loved God above all else with a life fully dedicated to the gospel, his family and the
service of others. He leaves a legacy as an accomplished leader, minister, educator and mentor while
remaining a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Having given his heart to the Lord as a teen at Bethel Wesleyan Church in Bartlett, Ohio, he
answered God's call to enter the ministry.  Upon graduation from Chesterhill High School in 1949,
Eugene wanted to continue his formal education. With the generous support of the Women's
Missionary Society at Bethel, he pursued a degree at Marion College, now Indiana Wesleyan
University.
In 1951, while still an undergraduate, Eugene was assigned by the South Ohio District of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church to serve as the Pastor of Long Wesleyan Methodist Church (now known
as Bethel Long Wesleyan, Greenville, OH).  He served in that capacity until 1953. Following receipt of
his Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from Marion College, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri to attend
Nazarene Theological Seminary and graduated with his Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) in 1956.
Afterwards, he returned to Ohio, where the South Ohio District installed him as Pastor of the
Zanesville Wesleyan Methodist Church.  That same year, he became Conference President of the
Wesleyan Methodist Churches of the (former) South Ohio District, with title changed to District
Superintendent, following a denominational merger in 1968. He served as District Superintendent
for a total of 28 years [circa. 1956-1978; 1980-1986].
Early in his tenure, at a Wesleyan General Conference, Eugene courageously drew awareness to the
fact that every Wesleyan district in the Marion College region, apart from the historically black South
Ohio District, had District Superintendent representation on the Marion College Board of Trustees.
As a result, he became the first black member of the Marion College Board of Trustees.
While living and pastoring in Zanesville, Ohio, he met the love of his life while on a district pastoral
recruiting trip to God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio,  He always loved to tell the story of how the
late Reverend Don Harris introduced him to his future wife, Phyllis Gibbs (Don's cousin). Eugene and
Phyllis were joined in holy matrimony on October 11, 1958.
Pastor Ramsey continued providing pastoral leadership while simultaneously giving leadership
oversight to the South Ohio District of the Wesleyan Church. Following his pastorate in Zanesville,
Eugene and Phyllis relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana where he began another pioneering work in
ministry.  Rev. Ramsey led a new "church planting" challenge by securing property and starting a
new congregation. It became the Northside Wesleyan Church of Indianapolis, Indiana.
While ministering in Indianapolis, Eugene and Phyllis' marriage was blessed with two sons, Peter
John and Paul David.  They raised their sons to know and serve the Lord.  Concurrent with his
pastoral and district leadership responsibilities, he also pursued further graduate education and
earned a Master of  Science degree (M.S.) in Education from Butler University.  He loved young
people and this enabled him to also serve as an educator for over 30 years in capacities as teacher
and administrator, for generations of students in Indianapolis Public Schools.
While in Indianapolis, his new congregation was blessed and grew. Northside Wesleyan Church
relocated to a larger property on 46th street.  In 1986, Rev. Ramsey assumed pastoral care of Calvary
Wesleyan Church where he served until his "retirement" in 1999 after which he and Phyllis relocated
back to their native Ohio to be near family.
He and Phyllis lived in Columbus Ohio for over two decades. Together, they were active in and loved
their Kimberly Parkway Church of God family while also remaining closely connected to his roots at
his beloved Bethel Wesleyan Church home.
During his decades long ministry, he mentored and developed numerous young ministers in
preparation for church leadership. Even after "retirement", Rev. Ramsey remained active in ministry
and education. He always said, "You never retire from the ministry". In recognition of his life-long
service and contributions to God's Kingdom and the Wesleyan Church, the "Eugene Ramsey Courage
in Leadership Award" was established by the Wesleyan Church, Greater Ohio District in 2022. He was
the inaugural recipient, with the award to be conferred annually upon a Wesleyan pastor who
demonstrates courage in leading and tangibly advancing God's Kingdom through evangelism and
discipleship.
Eugene was preceded in death by his wife of almost 65 years, Phyllis Gibbs Ramsey, parents Floyd
and Catherine Ramsey, brothers Leroy, Delbert and Denzel Ramsey, as well as sisters Creola Edwards
and Madelyn Williams.  He is survived by sisters Wilma "Jinks" Williams and Marcella Ogden, sons Dr.
Peter John Ramsey and Chaplain Lt. Col. (ret.) Rev. Paul David Ramsey, as well as daughters-in-law
Belinda J. Ramsey and Kelly Ramsey.  He is also survived by grandchildren Rachel Larobina, Andrew,
Alexandra, and Noah Ramsey, as well as grandson-in-law Ramses Larobina and great-grandchildren
Riley and Ramses, Jr. (RJ). He is survived by many nieces and nephews who he loved and of whom he
was very fond.
His earthly body will rest beside his beloved wife, Phyllis, of nearly 65 years, in Mt. Hermon
Cemetery in Amesville Ohio, near his childhood home, and surrounded by family and friends who
have gone on before.
"…Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:21 KJV).