Sterlene Ramsey

January 3, 1949 - November 21, 2020

- Beloved wife, daughter, mother, sister, (great) grandmother, victim’s rights advocate, genealogist, music aficionado, prolific pet collector, visionary arts and crafter, sage of easy living, part-time theologian, and patriotic Texan – was called home by God in the early morning hours of Saturday November 21, 2020. Her short 71 years were overflowing with love, laughter, and devotion to her loved ones. Sterlene was a wonderfully complex woman who chose simplicity as she lived out her life in tender contradictions. Her passionate free spirit could carry her off on a western wind, but her heart of unabiding love kept her grounded in the things that mattered most. Her strong sense of justice could rally men to war, but her compassionate soul made her a committed peacemaker. She sought out light and beauty even when they were in short supply; and her good-hearted sense of humor was infectious, even in the most serious of moments. Doris Sterlene Baker was born in Houston, Texas to Sterling and Doris Gilbert Baker. She was the second of three dear sisters, with whom she shared an unbreakable bond. The eldest is Lou Marie Baker Leslie and the youngest Margaret Lynnette Baker Thompson. Her father’s childhood friend, Jack Rhodes, owned a farm in Lexington, TX. The Bakers often spent vacations on the Rhodes’ farm. With her best friend, Leslie Rhodes, Sterlene spent the endless summers of her youth exploring the countryside of Lee County. Sterlene earned her diploma from Austin High School in 1967 and enrolled in cosmetology school. Like most military wives, her young family moved often. They were stationed in San Antonio, Hawaii, Killeen, and a second time in Hawaii. Like her mother before her, she gave birth to three beautiful daughters - Jeanne Hartranft, Stephanie Kovar, and Kelly Harris. Sterlene raised her three daughters in Katy, TX with her second husband Mark Donahue. As a mother, she instilled in her children a love for people, music, art, witty humor, and animals (not necessarily in that order). Out of a desire to share the great memories of her youth, she would often take her own daughters to the Rhodes’ farm so they too could create wonderful memories. Perhaps her greatest legacy as a mother was her compassion and generosity, which she taught by example. No matter how little she had, she always had enough to buy a sandwich for a homeless person. When she discovered that a teenage boy, whose mother was incarcerated, needed help, she opened her home to him. Texas Cord Miele became like an adopted son. In a school paper, Texas said that his life did not begin until he came to live with Sterlene. Never afraid of a challenge, Sterlene tried her hand at a variety of careers. As an entrepreneur, she opened the Gourmet Popcorn Shoppe. She stood toe to toe with men twice her size as a boilermaker. She served as a caregiver for the elderly. However, one of her greatest challenges came from the tragic murder of her adopted son, Texas, in 1991. Her experience with the justice system motivated her to enter the political realm to ensure that victims and their families receive the justice they desperately deserve. Sterlene co-founded the victim’s rights advocacy organization Justice For All. With her fellow lobbyists, she successfully influenced many criminal justice bills in the state legislature. In an unexpected final chapter, Sterlene found love and companionship with Doug Ramsey. While they had met and briefly dated during their teenage years, it was their reconnection and correspondence in recent years that ignited a romance that led to a joyous marriage. This blessed union resulted in the newly wed Ramseys establishing a homestead in Lexington, TX. Sterlene flourished in her new country home. She and Doug found opportunity everywhere and built their happy home together in a community of loved ones. Sterlene Ramsey is remembered with love by her husband Douglas Ramsey Sr., parents Sterling and Doris Baker, siblings: Lou and Roy Leslie, Bill Thompson, children: Jeanne Hartranft, Stephanie and Matthew Kovar, Kelly and Trevor Harris, Doug and Melanie Ramsey, Dorothy and Timothy Ratliff, grandchildren: Cody and Caitlin LeBlanc, Chase and Brittany LeBlanc, Garrett and Jessica Baker, Elizabeth Kovar, Thomas Kovar, Victoria and Nolan Frost, Mackenzie Harris, Bailey Harris, Marena Turner, Kelsie Riley, Cody Ramsey, David Ramsey, Shane Worley, Doug Worley, and great grandchildren: Madison, Michaela, and Easton LeBlanc, Lincoln Frost, Tate Baker, Kendall Worley, Brent and Camden Turner, Eli Riley, Michael, Charles, and Waylon Lange. Sterlene Ramsey is preceded in death by Margaret Thompson and Texas Cord Miele. A celebration of her life will take place at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Hugh Wilson Cemetery, 1057 County Road 456, Lexington, TX 78947. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Hugh Wilson Cemetery, PO Box 93, Lexington, TX 78947.