Echoes of Appalachia

Liston B. Ramsey, an influential North Carolina legislator who championed the interests of Western North Carolina’s rural communities, left an indelible mark on the region through his decades of public service and dedication to local development.

Born on February 26, 1919, in Madison County’s Walnut Creek community, Ramsey showed promise early in life. As valedictorian of Marshall High School’s class of 1936, he went on to earn his associate’s degree from Mars Hill College in 1938. His commitment to service led him to join the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, where he served in the Pacific Theater and attained the rank of Sergeant.

Upon returning home in 1945, Ramsey began his political career serving on the Marshall Board of Alderman from 1948 to 1960. This experience laid the groundwork for his distinguished tenure in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he became known for his steadfast advocacy for farmers and working families.

Throughout his legislative career, Ramsey secured funding for numerous projects that continue to benefit Western North Carolina today. His legacy is visible in institutions like the North Carolina Arboretum, the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, and the Liston B. Ramsey Activity Center at Western Carolina University. In 2003, a section of Interstate 26 between Asheville and Johnson City was renamed the Liston B. Ramsey Freeway, honoring his contributions to regional infrastructure.

Ramsey passed away on September 2, 2001, following a period of declining health.

I was proud to know Mr. Ramsey and was invited to attend his funeral. I have never forgotten him and what he did for Madison County where I was from, even after nearly 25 years of him being gone I still remember him and his stories he would tell me. He was a good man who always talked to you as if he had known you his whole life.

Today, Ramsey’s influence on Western North Carolina’s development remains evident, serving as a testament to his dedication to public service and his commitment to improving life in the mountain communities he called home.

-Tim Carmichael