Taylor Marie Ramey

Taylor Marie Ramey 17, 32 Tipperary Drive, Asheville, NC, died at home on May 3, 2010. An Asheville Native, Taylor was the daughter of Gary G. and Sonya L. Ramey. Taylor looked forward to joining her twin, Brittney Lee Ramey who died April 10, 2009; and their maternal grandmother Clara Ann Retter who died in 1996. Taylor loved all animals, with a special connection to horses and greatly enjoyed riding and visiting Tonka, her favorite horse at Mountin' Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Mars Hill NC. An adventurous young lady, Taylor thoroughly enjoyed canoeing with alligators and swimming with dolphins in Florida as well as visiting sharks and horseback riding in Hawaii. Her most exciting memory was the Kentucky Derby in 2008. She and her family, through the generosity of the Make A Wish Foundation, got personal tours of Churchill Downs and box seats for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. Taylor was fortunate enough to hand feed several Derby Horses, meet many jockeys, trainers and a few owners during that wonderful week before the race. A half-hour conversation about horses with Streetsense Jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Carl Nofziger was the highlight of her Derby trip. She was very excited for Calvin when he went on to win the Kentucky Derby two more times, becoming the only rider to win three times within a four year period. Taylor was a student at Clyde A. Erwin High School. The schools and the community at large continued to support Taylor as she struggled against the Myclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers (MERRF) that eventually took her young but full life. Her never give up attitude is an inspiration to many. In addition to her parents, Taylor is survived by grandparents Jane Bak, of Asheville, and Norman and Andrea Retter, of Port Charlotte. FL; aunt, Mary Kah and husband Steven, of Grayslake IL; uncles, Norman Retter, Jr., and wife Judy, of Blissfield MI, and Paul Bak, of Asheville. A memorial service for Taylor will be held at 3:30 PM on Monday, May 10, 2010 in the Theater at Clyde A. Erwin High School with the Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin CarePartners Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice or Mountin' Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, PO Box 387, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.