Obie Jerry Ramsey

Jerry Ramsey was born on November 9, 1947, to Obie and Dorothy Ramsey in Monticello, Mississippi, while his father pastored Powell’s Grove UPC. He loved music and had the privilege of singing with The Oak Ridge Boys, The Celestials, The Songsmen, and Tim Riley of the Gold City Quartet. Yet, his singing was always secondary to his passion for the Word of God.

He and his wife, Jeanne, evangelized across the United States. In 1974, he started a church in DeLand, Florida, where he and his young family labored for eight years to build an outreach for the community.

In 1982, the Lord called Brother Ramsey to a larger mission field in West Africa. For the next four years, he and his family served as foreign missionaries, falling in love with the people and culture of Sierra Leone.

In 1988, an opportunity arose to pastor the church in Pascagoula, once led by his father. He accepted, adopting the slogan, “Touching Pascagoula with Love.” The following 25 years held many challenges and triumphs, including rebuilding the church twice after devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and enduring the tragic loss of his wife, Jeanne, to cancer.

Through it all, he remained steadfast in faith and integrity, often saying, “God Always Keeps His Promises.” To his children, he was consistent, faithful, and dependable.

A man of great prayer and unconditional love, Jerry was a soul mate and gift from God to his wife, Linda, following her loss of her previous husband. To his church, he was a godly leader who led by example. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and love that will continue to impact his children, family, church, and community for years to come.

The Sanctuary Church family and a host of friends suffered a profound loss on December 23, 2013, when God called Pastor Ramsey to his eternal home. Yet, a grand homecoming awaits us all.