Marshall Rampey

W. Marshall Rampey was born on September 4, 1924, the ninth of thirteen children of John Samuel and Marion Major Rampey.  He died on May 20, 2016.  He is survived by his wife, Ruth Willene Pressley Rampey, to whom he was married for more than 73 years.

He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Philippines.

He began his ministerial training in 1946, graduating from Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) in 1951 with a Bachelor of Theology degree. He also received a Bachelor of Arts from Wofford in 1953. He served the SC District of The Wesleyan Church as a pastor (1949-2003) and in numerous other district offices and duties during his years of ministry.

From 2003-2011, he served as Chaplain for the Greenville campus of Southern Wesleyan University.  When he retired in 2013, he had given 64 years of consecutive ministerial service. 

He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern Wesleyan University and Kernersville Wesleyan Academy. He also taught in the Spartanburg District 5 public school system for several years.  In recognition of his community involvement with the PTA, he was awarded a lifetime membership.

As a result of his service and ministry across the years, Southern Wesleyan University honored him as the Alumnus of the Year.  He was also presented the Order of the Crescent in 2001 by the Office of the Governor.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, Rev. W. Marshall “Buddy” (Joan) Rampey, Jr.; a daughter, Martha Ruth Rampey; four grandchildren, Marian (Lance) Vischer, Matt (Michelle) Rampey, Aaron (Liz) Rampey, Rev. Emily (Matt) Miller; and thirteen grandchildren.  He is also survived by three brothers, Joe (Sarah) Rampey, Rev. Paul (Lorretta) Rampey and Robert (Joan) Rampey; one sister, Doris Rampey Higgins. He is predeceased by one son, Paul Norman Rampey; five brothers, J.W., Curtis, Major, Leon, Fred; three sisters, Helen Mullinax, Ruby McCall and Mary Sprouse.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, May 23, at ALIVE Wesleyan Church, 136 Chastain Road, Central, SC.  Presiding ministers are Dr. Fred Andrews and Dr. James Wiggins. Visitation will begin at 10:00am at the church. Burial will be in Greenville Memorial Gardens, 7784 Augusta Road, Piedmont, SC at 3:30 PM, Monday. Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central is in charge of arrangements.  The family will be at the home of Buddy and Joan Rampey at 103 Jameson Drive, Piedmont, SC. 

Memorials in his name may be made to Southern Wesleyan University, 907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, SC  29630.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, which is assisting the family.