Sara Virginia Mack

"The time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." II Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) states: For we walk by faith, not by sight. Sara Virginia Johnson Ramsey Mack, has lived an exceptional life allowing the above scripture to direct her path. On June 15, 2025, illness lost its strength at Parkhouse Skilled Nursing Facility and grace appeared. In all reality we are here today, not because Mrs. Virginia Mack has passed away, but because she lived, and now has heard the words that all children of God will hear, well done my good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the LORD. Sunrise for Mrs. Mack was on February 5, 1933, in Coatesville, PA. She was one of five children born to the late Howard & Mary Johnson. Virginia or "Ginny" as she is affectionately known to most of her family and friends, loved the hymn "Yes Jesus Loves Me, which her mother taught her as a young child, and it remained one of her favorite hymns throughout her entire life. After living in Coatesville, Philadelphia, and Chester Springs, PA, Virginia & her husband, Thomas Ramsey Sr., settled in Phoenixville, PA where they raised their 5 children. She lived in Phoenixville for over 65 years. Then in 2019 she moved to Texas to be near her son Tommy and in 2022 they moved to Michigan. After her health began to fail, she returned to PA and lived with her daughter, Sandy (Ted) before moving into a skilled nursing facility where she remained until her passing. Mrs. Mack was passionate about her people, and her community and because of that she became a community organizer, advocating for quality education for the children of Phoenixville's North Side. Phoenixville Community Council, North, Inc., founded by Mrs. Mack and others from the community, also known as PCCN, became a safe haven for many of Phoenixville's children who lived on the North side of town. It not only provided a safe environment (for the children) to participate in fun activities, but to also provide help with their academic studies giving them an opportunity to start out on the right path to having a productive young adolescent life. Mrs. Mack has helped countless Phoenixville residents find employment and also helped their children receive a quality education, which included recruitment for the Waldorf School in Kimberton. She tried everything in her power to make sure that the Black residents of Phoenixville did not go underrepresented. In the late 1970's early 1980's, Mrs. Mack was instrumental in bringing Phoenixville's first Black principal to the Phoenixville Area School District. She was also actively involved with the Chris Minor Scholarship Fund. Mrs. Mack helped to start an after-school tutoring/homework assistance program at Grimes AME Church and she also served as chairmen of the Donald J.L. Coppedge Scholarship Committee. In the 1960's, Virginia and her young family first became members of Bethel Baptist Church under the pastoralship of Rev. Harvey Shivers and while there, she served as a Sunday school teacher. Later she and her children joined Grimes AME Church and there she served as a member of the Choral Ensemble, Lay President, Co-Founder of the Vacation Bible School with First Presbyterian Church, and has received multiple awards from Grimes AME Church related to her untiring Christian service and reform. Mrs. Mack has also received awards from Fellowship Freedom Fighters of Chester County, Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce, and The United States Postal Service. Mrs. Mack received The Year of Enlightenment Award, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Peacemaker Award and she served on the board of the Chester County and Phoenixville Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity. Mrs. Mack is also the co-founder of the Phoenixville Coalition for Education. Mrs. Mack received her early childhood education in the Coatesville School District. She later attended West Chester Teacher's College, now West Chester University, Immaculata College, and has received continuing educational credits from countless conferences and seminars. She also attended theological school and received her degree in Personal Evangelism from Full Gospel Institute, in Coatesville PA. As a part of her ministry, she taught reading classes to illiterate inmates at Chester County Prison. Later in life she developed a passion for drawing. That "drawing passion" was evident when she returned to PA a little more than two years ago. She had amassed two of those largest plastic tubs full of her drawings that were extremely heavy to lift, and guess what, once she was settled in, she continued to draw and draw and draw, accumulating even more "drawings" until her health began to decline. Had she remained well enough to continue drawing, Ted and Sandy may have had to move into a larger house for sure, just to accommodate all her work. Mrs. Mack leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Thomas R Ramsey Jr, Sandra Josey (Ted), twins, Marilyn Townsend and Marlene Kirkland. Grandchildren, Phillip Ramsey (Katrin), Adele Townsend, Thomas R Ramsey III (Danielle), Heather Josey (Shilid), Stephanie Dingle (Jarrod) Cecelia Baldwin (Brenden), and Destini Hanible (Darryl). Twenty great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Mack was preceded in death by siblings, Blanche Johnson, Ora Cunningham, Marion Johnson and Howard Johnson Jr. Daughters, Alva Paula and Sharon Ramsey. Her husbands, Thomas R Ramsey Sr. and Donald Mack, and two grandsons, Jeremy Josey and C'Jon Saunders. Mrs. Sara Virginia Johnson Ramsey Mack lived her life: "One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus"!!! Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Sara Virginia Mack

February 5, 1933 - June 15, 2025