MINNEOLA – On October 16, 1918 Joyce Ramsey was born in Drummond, Ok, however, she spent the majority of her life in Kingman and Minneola, KS. With her birth, she was given the title "daughter" to her parents P.H. and Eunice Ramsey. At this time, she was also given the title of "sister" to her four siblings: Leona, Enid, Dave and Mary Ellen. Joyce attended school in the Kingman area and completed the 8th grade.

On September 3, 1938 Joyce took on a new title of "wife" when she married Marshall M. Ridge. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage until Marshall's death in 1980. Joyce worked at a cleaners while Marshall served his country in the US Navy. When Marshall completed his Navy days, Joyce then received the title of "homemaker" where her house was always immaculate.

On October 5, 1946 Joyce was given a new title, the title of "mom" when her and Marshall's only child Bonnie was born. Joyce made it a priority to always have a good meal for her family, and you could count on fried chicken every Sunday for dinner. Joyce also had an amazing ability to make a dollar stretch far beyond what others could. She took great pride in her home, she diligently cleaned her house even when everyone else would have considered it spotless!
On November 27, 1967 Joyce took on the proud title of "grandma" when her first grandson, Bryan was born. Teena and Darren soon followed to make her one proud grandma! It was during these days, that Joyce & Marshall lived at the KP&L plant north of Minneola. They planted huge gardens and had more than enough produce to share with the whole KP&L community. Joyce also loved doing crafts and her and Marshall made and sold all kinds of things made from resin, plaster of paris, and felt, but her most popular craft was a Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus made out of Reader's Digest magazines.

After Marshall's death, Joyce moved to Minneola where she kept quite busy preparing pre-game meals for her 3 grandchildren. Joyce was quite a cook! Her grandkids would put in requests for homemade donuts…they were the best! Joyce was always trying new cookie recipes and if you dropped by her house, you were always sent home with a plateful of cookies. Any visit to grandma's house also included a handful of Red Hots. She helped many summers cook for her daughter's family and hired help during harvest. Then after the meal was made and delivered, you could count on Joyce to be the head dish washer.

Joyce also took on the title of "quilter". She handstitched numerous quilts for her daughter & grandkids as well as pillows for family and friends. She loved to quilt in the evenings while listening to country music. Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and George Strait were her favorite country singers. Joyce looked forward to the country music awards every year, but don't call during the awards…she won't answer!

On January 3, 1995 Joyce was promoted to the title of "Granny" with the birth of her first great grandchild, Kelsey. She was followed by Aubrey, Madilyn, Austin and Kate to complete her family.

Joyce enjoyed playing pitch, eating ice cream, walking for exercise, double mint gum, the color red, any kind of potatoes, and most of all celebrating her birthday! She faithfully attended Minneola Church of Christ and looked forward to church dinners where she brought multiple dishes to share, but you could always count on her to bring at least one salad.

Joyce lived independently until the age of 94 when she entered the Minneola Long Term Care facility. During this time, she was the three-time pancake flipping champion and also won Easter coloring contests. She faithfully got her hair set and her nails painted red every week. Joyce took great pride in always dressing nice and had a particular love for sequins or anything bright and flashy. Her make-up was on as soon as her feet hit the floor in the morning and you never saw her without her lipstick on.

On August 30, 2016 seven weeks short of her 98thbirthday, Joyce received her final title "faithful servant" when she passed from this life and heard her Savior say "Well done my good and faithful servant".

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Irons and husband Don of Edmond, OK. Her three grandkids, Bryan and wife Kendra Irons, Irving, TX; Teena and husband Link Cotham, Ponca City, Ok; and Darren and wife Angela, Edmond, Ok. Her five great grandkids, Kelsey and Aubrey Cotham, Ponca City, Ok and Madilyn, Austin and Kate Irons, Edmond, Ok. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, 3 of which often visited her on her birthday, Jerry, Mary and Darla.

Viewing will take place on Friday, September 2 at Minnis Mortuary in Minneola, KS from 5-7 p.m. Another viewing will take place on Saturday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, KS (south of Kingman, KS). A graveside service will follow at the Cleveland Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. The family has chosen Minneola Long Term Care to be the recipient of memorials in Joyce's honor in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 459, Minneola, Kansas 67865.