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Earle Ramsdell Obituary

The Rev. Earle R. Ramsdell died at home in Baton Rouge on April 23, 2016. Earle was born May 27, 1921 in Somerville MA, to Lloyd and Anna McDonald Ramsdell. He graduated from Boston English High School in 1939 and from Boston University with a BS in Education in 1944. He obtained a Master of Divinity at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton MA, in 1946 and a second masters degree in counseling in 1972 from the University of North Texas. He served two American Baptist pastorates, one in Allston MA from 1946 to 1949 and another in Pawtucket RI from 1949 to 1953. He then served as the Associate Director of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches from 1953 to 1959, where, as the Director of Radio and Television, he produced and participated in religious programming. In 1959 he became the Executive Director of the Greater Flint (Michigan) Council of Churches, where he had an active role in the unfolding events of the civil rights movement in the 1960's. He served as co-chair of the successful effort to pass an open housing ordinance, with Flint becoming the first city in the nation to enact such an ordinance by public vote. He was also instrumental in the creation of that city's Human Relations Commission. In 1973 he joined the staff of the Pastoral Counseling Center in Dallas TX, retiring in 1995 after twenty years as Director of Education and Training. He held approved supervisory status with AAMFT and was a diplomate in AAPC and a certified sex therapist with AASECT. In retirement he served as the Volunteer Director of Pastoral Care at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, having moved to Louisiana in 1995 with his wife Penny as she joined the faculty of the LSU School of Social Work. He is survived by his wife Penny Smith Ramsdell; two daughters, Cheryl Ramsdell-Speich and her husband Colibri, Lyons CO, and Lynne Jones, Orlando FL; two grandsons, Christopher Johnson, Grand Prairie TX, and Sean Jones, Denver CO; two great-grandsons, Alexander and Andrew Johnson; sister Olive Helen Sweeney and niece Margaret Lucey and her husband Fred, Newburyport MA; brother Alan Ramsdell and his wife Mary Jo, Mesa AZ; nieces Nova Nichols, Baton Rouge LA, and Shana Corbiere and her husband Zac, Round Rock TX; three great-nephews, Zane, Errett, and Wyatt Corbiere; and great-niece, Brie Matter, San Rafael CA. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of the Rev. Earle Ramsdell may be made to the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, 8470 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. People can visit rabenhorst.com for on-line condolences.

Published by The Advocate from Apr. 23 to Apr. 24, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Thanks, Earle, for your leadership as a Pastoral Counselor, your welcoming us to the UU community and your spiritual friendship in sharing in our branches group. You and Penny are remembered with gratitude and love.
Jim O'Neill

Jim O'Neill

Friend

April 17, 2023

What a welcoming presence he was when Vera and I found our way to UU Baton Rouge, connecting with he and Penny made us feel welcomed and like we had found our spiritual home

Jim O'Neill

Friend

April 19, 2022

I'm very grateful for the peaceful caring presence that Earle embodied and I have recently planted a Sweet Olive tree in my yard in his honor.

Jim O'Neill

Friend

April 27, 2021

I will miss Rev. Earle's gentle, wise presence. Knowing him was a gift.

Mike Hebert

May 6, 2016

My heart is heavy knowing of Earle's passing, but gladdened as I remember the gifts he gave the community around him. What a precious man who lived his life in service and with grace. My love to Penny and the family during this time of loss. I hold you in my heart.

Debbie Cannatella

May 2, 2016

I have been twice blessed by Earle. First when for years he was for years a mentor in our Pastoral Counseling Association. Then, he and Penny welcomes us into the Church Community and invited us to join their home church community "Olive Branches". I hope I can embody the generous and welcoming spirit he lived so well.

Jim O'Neill

April 26, 2016

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