Martha Allen Balch Ramsey
January 18, 1945 – November 22, 2025
Martha Allen Balch Ramsey, age 80, of Quitman, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, in Jonesboro, Louisiana at Forest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born on January 18, 1945, in Monroe, Louisiana, Martha was the daughter of Angus Allen Balch , Sr. and Cassie Lee Hill Balch of Swartz, Louisiana. Her childhood was marked by both challenge and courage; following her mother’s passing, Martha stepped into a motherly role for her younger brother at only 14 years old. This early calling to care for others shaped the woman she became—one marked by strength, compassion, and a heart devoted to service.
On August 18, 1962, at 17 years old, Martha married the love of her life, 19-year-old Clifford Carl Ramsey. Two years later, they began their family with the arrival of their daughter Cathy, followed by their daughter Donna Kay a few years later.
For 63 years, the two shared a deep and faithful partnership built on love, devotion, and unwavering commitment to family and faith. Martha was a strong woman of God and lived every day with a love for Jesus that guided her steps and touched all who knew her.
Known for her warm and welcoming spirit, Martha loved to cook and was happiest when her home was full of people. Anyone who walked through her door was welcomed as family, fed with her famous potato salad or spaghetti, and wrapped in the comfort she so naturally provided. She truly believed “the more, the merrier,” especially when it came to her grandsons’ friends or a car full of children headed to Wednesday night church.
A breast cancer survivor, Martha lived with quiet resilience and grace. Her legacy is one of nurturing love, steadfast faith, and a life spent serving others.
Martha is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Clifford Carl Ramsey; her daughters Donna Kay Murphy (Shawn Murphy) of Quitman, Louisiana, and Cathy Pippin (Chad Pippin) of Panama City Beach, Florida; her beloved grandsons Dr. Zach Pippin (Dr. Kelly Pippin) of Covington, Louisiana; Max Pippin of Dallas, Texas; Joey Pippin (Dr. Melissa Pippin) of St. Louis, Missouri; Chase Murphy (Kaitlyn Murphy) of Quitman, Louisiana; and Dr. David Murphy (Sidney Murphy) of Ruston, Louisiana. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Natalie, Amelia, Jade, Jaxson, and Seth Pippin; Caroline, Julia, Tripp, and John Mark Murphy; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished deeply.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Angus Allen Balch, Sr., and Cassie Lee Hill Balch; her brother, Angus Allen Balch, Jr. (Sambo); and her sisters, Bonnie Tullos and Mary Lee Price.
The Life Celebration service was held on Tuesday, November 25th at Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman with Interment at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA, under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons—Zach Pippin, Max Pippin, Joey Pippin, Chase Murphy, and David Murphy—along with her son-in-law, Shawn Murphy.