Legendary Polk County lawman Harold “Whitey” Ramsey passed away June 22. He was 83.
Ramsey served in law enforcement 18 years, ten of those as Polk County sheriff.
He first became sheriff in 1972. In the 1978 election, he fought off a challenge by Frank Payne that went all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
In that election, Payne received 2,182 votes at the precincts while Ramsey received 2,023. But in absentee balloting, the incumbent Ramsey defeated Payne 316 to 20.
Payne alleged irregularities, but the state’s top court upheld Ramsey’s victory.
The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Society credits Ramsey’s 10 years as the county’s top law enforcement officer as the longest consecutive service of anyone as sheriff until that time.
The following is from Ramsey’s obituary from Higgins Funeral Home in Benton.
Harold “Whitey” Ramsey, 83, of Benton, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2020, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Whitey was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, visiting friends and being in the garden.
He was born on May 27, 1937, to the late Ben and Elsie Green Ramsey.
Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Helen Lewis Ramsey; beloved sons, Robert Harold “Bob” Ramsey, Brad (Lisa) Ramsey, Bryan (Karen) Ramsey; grandchildren, Matthew Ramsey, Allyson Ramsey, Rusty (Heather) Ramsey, Nicholas Ramsey and Brooke Ramsey; one great-grandchild, Chloe Ramsey; one brother, Dewey Ramsey. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A Celebration of Life graveside service was conducted at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at Greasy Creek Cemetery with Terry Abernathy officiating. Nick Ramsey, Rusty Ramsey, Matthew Ramsey, Tim Lewis, Mike Raby, Mike Ingram and Dale Dockery served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFuneral.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.