Mary Ruth Ramsey Poyner passed away March 19, 2023 after a brave hospital stay following heart surgery.
Mary was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 1946 to Robert T. Ramsey and Clara Swaner Ramsey. She was the oldest of five children.
Mary met the love of her life Joe Poyner at church and they were married in 1965, enjoying 39 years together before Joe passed away from cancer in 2005.
She went to college to pursue a career in nursing, coming very close to gaining her RN, before deciding to marry instead. But she found an outlet for her desire to help others, by managing medical offices for over 25 years.
Music was a huge part of her life. She loved to sing, both gospel music and women’s Barbershop, played the piano and even composed songs. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus in Dallas and sang with various quartets in churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Mary was creative. She enjoyed painting and floral design and briefly had her own business, “Artistry in Silk.”
Mary was a generous soul with a big heart. She loved helping people whenever she could, keeping small coloring books and crayons in her purse for children, and volunteering at a Food Pantry.
She moved to New Jersey in 2010 to be with her daughter, charming many there with her “sweet southern drawl” and friendly nature.
Mary was preceded in death by her brother Robert Ramsey, her parents and her husband.
She is survived by her children Deborah Poyner of Trenton, N.J., Robert Ramsey of Brooklyn, N.Y., siblings Sherry Grandstaff of Pauls Valley, Okla., Sue Akers and husband Rodney of Pauls Valley, Okla., Tim Ramsey and wife Edna of Pantego and their beloved families, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Betty Poyner of Tyler and their much-loved family along with many cousins, family and friends too numerous to list.
Funeral services were held March 26, 2023 at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Chapel with Ann Sherrill officiating.