It is with deep sadness that Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) shares the passing of Distinguished Alumnus Judge Ronald B. Ramsey, Sr. A member of the Class of 1992 and our 2024 commencement speaker, Judge Ramsey held a special place in the AJMLS community. His remarkable journey from evening law student to respected jurist and legislator reflected perseverance, service, faith, and an enduring commitment to justice.
Born on August 14, 1959, in Salisbury, North Carolina, Judge Ramsey overcame the challenges of a segregated South, becoming the first Black child to integrate Cleveland Elementary School. Raised on his grandparents’ farm, he developed discipline, humility, and a deep sense of community that shaped his life of service. After graduating cum laude in Political Science from North Carolina Central University, where he excelled academically, played varsity tennis, and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he began his career at the National Labor Relations Board while pursuing his law degree at AJMLS in the evenings.
Upon admission to the Georgia Bar, Judge Ramsey served in a variety of influential roles: mediator with Atlanta’s Justice Center, Southeast Regional Counsel for the Laborers International Union, Director of Legal Affairs for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Legal Officer for the DeKalb County School District, and adjunct professor at AJMLS.
In 2000, he was appointed as the first African American Municipal Court Judge in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He later served as Georgia State Senator for the 43rd District for nine years, where he championed justice reform and bipartisan collaboration. In 2015, he was appointed to the DeKalb County State Court, where he pioneered initiatives such as Deferred Sentencing, Court-Supervised Community Service, and the “Angel Wings Initiative” supporting homeless students. He also embraced modernization, leading efforts in technology integration and virtual proceedings, and helped plan a new courthouse scheduled to open in 2025.
His many honors included the Thurgood Marshall Award from the NAACP, the Key to the City of Stonecrest, and the AJMLS Outstanding Alumni Award. He also held leadership positions in the Council of State Court Judges, the Gate City Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, where he was elected to the House of Delegates in 2023.
Beyond his professional achievements, Judge Ramsey’s greatest devotion was to his family. He and his wife Doris shared 40 years of marriage, raising their children, Ronald Jr. and Christyn, with love, faith, and resilience. In 2014, he became a proud grandfather to Mariah, who brought him immense joy.
Judge Ramsey’s life embodied perseverance, humility, and compassion. He often reflected on his trials as seasons of growth that reaffirmed his calling to serve with integrity. His story, rising from a segregated childhood to become a state senator, attorney, and judge, is an inspiration to all.
The AJMLS community extends heartfelt condolences to Judge Ramsey’s family, friends, colleagues, and fraternity brothers. We are proud to have welcomed him back as our 2024 commencement speaker and grateful for the example he set throughout his life and career. His legacy will continue to inspire our students, faculty, and alumni for generations to come.