Ramey Family Genealogy & History

Samuel Ramey, an acclaimed American operatic bass born on March 28, 1942, is renowned for his versatile performances across both bel canto and dramatic operatic roles. He debuted at New York City Opera in 1973, gaining fame for roles such as Zuniga in Carmen and the Faustian devils in Faust and Mefistofele. Ramey graced prestigious stages globally, including the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala. His extensive repertoire includes Handel, Mozart, Verdi, and Rossini operas. Notably, he performed in the 1990 concert of Show Boat with Jerry Hadley and Frederica von Stade, and voiced The Beast in the 2014 miniseries Over the Garden Wall. Ramey also contributed significantly to opera education at Wichita State University.

Samuel Ramey married soprano Lindsey Larsen on June 29, 2002, and they have one son together.

Venus Ramey Murphy (1924–2017) was a prominent figure in American history, known for her diverse roles as a beauty pageant winner, activist, and tobacco farmer. She gained national fame by winning the Miss America title in 1944, becoming the first red-haired contestant to do so and the first to be photographed in color. Ramey later pursued a career in activism, notably campaigning to save the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also made headlines with her bold actions to defend her property in Kentucky at the age of 82. Her career was marked by her pioneering spirit, including being the first Miss America to run for public office and a write-in candidate for the 2000 presidential election.

Venus Ramey was born in Somerset, Kentucky, to Evalena (née Brown) and John Coons Ramey. Her family roots extended into the realm of country music, as she was distantly related to renowned musicians Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Jay Lee Webb, Peggy Sue, and Patty Loveless through her father's lineage. Her deep Kentucky roots remained a significant part of her identity throughout her life, even as her career took her far beyond her home state.

Phillip Ramey, born on September 12, 1939, in Elmhurst, Illinois, is a renowned American composer, pianist, and writer on music, celebrated for his orchestral works and piano compositions. He studied under notable composers like Alexander Tcherepnin and Jack Beeson, and has had professional associations with music giants such as Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. Ramey has contributed significantly to the music world with compositions like his Concerto for Horn and String Orchestra, commissioned by the New York Philharmonic. His music has been published by major firms like Boosey & Hawkes, and he is also an award-winning author, recognized for his biography on Irving Fine.

Valerie Ann Ramey, an esteemed American economist, serves as Professor Emerita of Economics at the University of California, San Diego. She holds a BA from the University of Arizona and a PhD from Stanford University. Ramey has made significant contributions to economics, being a research associate at the NBER and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Her work, widely recognized and cited over 15,000 times, has been featured in prominent publications like CNN and the New York Times. She was Vice President of the American Economic Association and has been honored with the R. K. Cho Economics Prize and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.