Drew Ramsey (Lansing)

Drew Stephan Ramsey was born on December 15, 1971, in Southfield, Michigan into the loving arms of his parents Drew and Jennifer. He was a child prodigy able to read at the age of 4 and played the piano brilliantly at the age of 5. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School and East Lansing High School. He Graduated with Honors from Lansing Community College as A Paralegal/Legal Assistant and Michigan State University where he won a Creative Writing Award. Drew also won a Scholarship to USC but had to return because his multiple sclerosis (MS) started affecting his balance. Forcing him to leave sunny California and come back to Michigan. He also took classes at Cooley Law School.

Drew always said that his greatest achievement was the birth of his son Drew William Issac Salvador Avalos affectionally known as D3. His proudest moments came when he too could teach his son, D3, to read fluently at the age of 4. He loved D3 more than anything in the world. He left tons of legal briefs for him to read when he got older so D3 can see just how much his dad loved him.

In addition to being a scholar and an amazing Law Clerk, Drew was a ranked chess player. His mom drove him all over the state of Michigan to compete in chess tournaments as a child. He also taught chess at a local community center to many young students.

Drew worked for Peckham Industries for a while, but his skills as a paralegal ensured that he was always employed by a law firm on the side. His struggles with MS finally got so bad he took a medical disability from Peckham. Even though he could no longer stand without assistance, he had his love of the law to fall back on. One of Drew’s proudest moments occurred when he presented a case before the Michigan Supreme Court and even cut off his dreads for that court appearance.

Drew had the privilege of working for Attorney Steven Howard as a paralegal for over 10 years and up until the time he died. He thought of Mr. Howard more like family than a Boss. It was Mr. Howard that found Drew in his Law Library surrounded by the law books that he so loved.

Although Drew could no longer walk without assistance he never complained about his disability. He told his mom, Jennifer Underwood, everyone is dealing with something. Drew was a true member of the Village. He died doing what he truly loved law research.

Drew leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his amazing life: his son Drew; mother, Jennifer; special friend, Yolanda Canela (D3’s mom); brothers, David and Derrick Ramsey, Samuel Davis, Lee Canady and Marcus Jamison; sisters, Charmaine Ramsey, Tonia Canady, Kariim Alecia Cross, Kristine Hughes, Alonda Chaplin, Jessica Washington, Jody Neal and Tatiana Malilwe-Kemp; uncles, William White and Frank Ferro; aunts, Rheva Ramsey, Mildred Daniel, Carmen Bertram, Sue Finney, Karen Wilson, Rose Cross, Earlene Neal, Breshenda Smith and Janet Howard; nephew, Kaiden Douglas; special cousins, Brian Whitfield, Allison Chenault, David Wilson and Karen Delk; and a host of other loving family members and friends too numerous to name lest we omit someone -- know that Drew loved you all.

He was preceded in death by his father, Drew Erroll Ramsey, and sister, Porcha Williams.