Ernest Canaday Ramsay

Ernest Canaday Ramsay of Atlanta, GA passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, with his loving wife by his side. He was 87 years old.

He was born on Feb 14, 1939, in Statesboro, Georgia. He grew up in Denmark, South Carolina. Ernest worked in his parents' business from the age 12 to 18, an early sign of his character and strong work ethic that would define his life.

He went on to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degree there. Two of the most important chapters of his life began here. First, he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Anne Gazaway. Ernest proposed quickly and they were married on December 18, 1960.

Second, he found his passion for the law. After completing law school, he set out for Atlanta with Barbara and their daughter, Beth, in tow. He quickly found a job with Bryan, Carter, Ansley & Smith in 1963. His next career move was to form Carley & Ramsay, then a move to Hansell, Post, Brandon & Dorsey, where he spent many years as a partner. At the end of his career, he worked in private practice with Marcus Calloway at Ramsay & Calloway and then on his own at Ramsay Title Group. His law career culminated in 2011, when he received The George A Pindar Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Real Property Section of the State Bar of Georgia, recognizing outstanding service to real property law and practitioners. It honors a section member who has demonstrated a lifetime of the highest quality of legal services, ethics, and professionalism, and who unselfishly gives of himself for the benefit of the real estate bar.

Ernie and Barbara were integral members of their community in Decatur as devoted Episcopalians and longtime members of Holy Trinity Parish. He served in every possible leadership role at the church and will be dearly missed.

Those who remember Ernest will remember him less for his accomplishments and more for his generosity, humility, love of history and ancestry, and devotion to SEC sports, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. But above all, he loved his family and friends.

Ernest embodied the characteristics of a true gentleman-the way he treated other people, his moral and ethical compass, and his quiet faith. He was also a very snappy dresser always getting comments on his excellent outfits. He fought the good fight, he finished the race and he kept the faith. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Ernest is survived by Barbara, his wife of 66 years, to whom he was devoted; his children, Beth Ramsay Poland (Neil) of Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Kate Ramsay Brewer of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandchildren, Amy, Nick (Mary), and Drew (Liz) Poland and Ramsay Brewer; and his great-granddaughter, Juliette Poland.

His family appreciates so much the compassion and love of each of the staff at Canterbury Court both during his time there and after his passing.

The funeral will be Monday, October 5, 2026 at 2pm at Holy Trinity Parish, 515 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, 30030. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Ernest's memory be made to Holy Trinity Parish.