Tributes pour in for DeKalb County Judge Ronald B. Ramsey, Sr., former Georgia senator, trailblazer

Tributes are pouring in for the late DeKalb County Judge Ronald B. Ramsey, Sr., who is being remembered for his many contributions as a judge and as a former Georgia state senator. Judge Ramsey passed away on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the age of 66. Several close to Ramsey said that he was battling cancer.

News of Judge Ramsey’s passing began flooding social media on Thursday, Sept. 25, as community leaders and friends expressed condolences to his wife, Doris, and the Ramsey family. Many reflected on the profound impact he made on their lives as a mentor, colleague, friend and businessman.

Ramsey represented Georgia’s 43^rd Senate District from 2007 to 2015. He is credited as being one of the founders of the City of Stonecrest, sponsoring SB 208, which paved the way for the city’s creation. 

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson called Ramsey a “legend,” praising his leadership and lifelong commitment to justice and the community. 

“DeKalb County mourns the loss of a legend. Today, we grieve the passing of the Honorable Ronald B. Ramsey Sr., a devoted husband, father, and public servant whose life’s work transformed the legal and civic landscape of our county and our state. 

“Judge Ramsey’s career was marked by firsts, leadership, and an unshakable commitment to justice. He represented the 43rd District in the Georgia State Senate from 2007 until 2015, when he resigned following his appointment by Governor Nathan Deal to serve as a judge on the DeKalb County State Court, Traffic Division. As the immediate past Presiding Judge of Division B, he guided the court through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, leading innovations in virtual proceedings and advocating for a new courthouse that will serve generations to come. His vision and advocacy reshaped legislation, advanced equity, and modernized our judicial system,” Cochran Johnson stated. 

DeKalb County Judge Mike Jacobs reflected on Ramsey’s mentorship and friendship. 

“Few people have shaped my thinking as a public servant the way Judge Ron Ramsey has. We served alongside each other in the General Assembly and on the DeKalb State Court for all but two years of my time in service. We’ve spent more hours on the phone than I can count talking about this, that, and the other issue. I’m very sad Ron passed away today. Well done and rest in peace, my good friend,” Jacobs posted on Facebook.

Jason Lary, founding mayor of the City of Stonecrest, remembered Ramsey as one of the driving forces behind the city’s creation and their nearly four decades as fraternity brothers.  

“As a State Senator, Judge Ramsey carried Bill 208 that put Stonecrest into existence. He was my good friend and frat brother (Kappa Alpha Psi) for more than 38 years. Ron and Doris were the first couple that Debbie and I met when we moved to Spring Lake nearly 40 years ago. We raised our children together, did business together and shared the same philosophy of Christ and family. He will be missed. Rest in Power, my brother,” Lary wrote in a Facebook post. 

Other leaders echoed the loss.

Mike Thurmond, former DeKalb County CEO and candidate for Georgia governor, expressed his gratitude on behalf of himself and his wife, Zola. 

“Zola and I are heartbroken to hear of the passing of my friend and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother Judge Ron Ramsey. We are grateful for all that he gave to DeKalb County and to Georgia, and we send our condolences to his loved ones,” Thurmond said. 

State Rep. Doreen Carter shared the impact Judge Ramsey had on her journey as an elected official and her deep respect for him.

“As I reflect on Judge Ramsey’s extraordinary life, I am reminded of the profound impact he had on my journey. My children’s educational foundation was laid at the academy he founded. His leadership continued to inspire as he served as my State Senator and subsequently as State Judge. Our unique bond was forged through shared values and mutual respect. I am grateful for the honor he bestowed upon me as he swore me in as a State Representative in 2015. His guidance and mentorship gifted me my first piece of legislation,” Carter said. “I offer heartfelt prayers for your family, may God’s loving care envelop them in comfort. We will deeply miss his thoughtful presence. Thank you, Judge Ramsey, for being a shining example of kindness and compassion. Our conversation just a few weeks ago reminded me of his unwavering interest in the well-being of others, always inquiring about the fellas. May his legacy continue to inspire us, and may his soul rest in eternal peace,” Carter said in a social media post. 

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, on behalf of herself and her husband,Congressman Hank Johnson, praised Ramsey for his “unwavering passion” to make DeKalb better.  

“Hank and I send our heartfelt sympathies to the family of a remarkable man, Judge Ronald Ramsey, who served DeKalb with extraordinary dedication. Judge Ramsey, former State Senator will be remembered for his selfless devotion and his unwavering passion to build a stronger, better DeKalb. Please join us in lifting up his wife of more than 40 years, Doris, along with his children and loved ones, in prayer during this challenging time. Judge Ramsey will be deeply missed,” Davis Johnson stated. 

Ramsey began his professional career in Atlanta with the National Labor Relations Board, after graduating with honors from North Carolina Central University in 1981. He balanced full-time work with evening studies at John Marshall Law School, later serving in roles that ranged from federal investigator and mediator to adjunct professor and municipal court judge in the City of Stone Mountain, becoming the first African American to hold the post.  He served as municipal judge of Stone Mountain from 2000 to 2007.  

Ramsey’s influence extended nationally through his leadership in the Gate City Bar Association and the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Judicial Division, where he held multiple leadership roles and was most recently elected to the ABA House of Delegates in 2023. 

Judge Ramsey is survived by his wife, Doris Carrington-Ramsey, their son, Ronald, Jr., and their daughter, Christyn.