Support for Violet and Linda after Babz's passing

I was walking down the street in Hot Springs, NC the day I met Babz. She reached out to me, told me I looked familiar. We talked. I had two of my three children at home; she was a midwife. We connected. She said she loved me the moment she saw me. She adopted me. That was ten or more years ago. She took care of my family. She made sure we were okay. She was always so worried about how other people were doing. She was a fellow true believer with a heart of gold.

Babz passed away in her sleep on January 24 around 4:20 am. She had developed sepsis from a staph infection that got worse despite our best holistic and modern medical efforts. A tough decision was made to let her pass peacefully and comfortably instead of keeping her here to suffer through multiple surgeries and recovery. I was there with a nurse friend and the family's social worker as Lin and Vi took in the details and with heavy hearts chose to let their matriarch rest peacefully, knowing she would have never wanted to suffer like that in a hospital for the rest of her days.

I am concerned for Violet, who is still dealing with the aftermath of Helene. That storm left them without power for six weeks. Their internet company, which also handled their phone service, never repaired their line. They ran out of propane during the first freeze after Helene, and the propane company charged ungodly fees to fill their tank, and Amerigas STILL hasn’t come out to fill their tank yet. FEMA never went out to see them, and they had no communication or transportation with which to gain assistance. The social worker and multiple friends, including me, have made our best efforts to remedy this situation to little avail. The stress of dealing with these multiple levels of bureaucracies during disaster after disaster, no doubt, contributed to Babz’s failing health.

Linda will hopefully get into assisted living. I asked their social worker to check out Madison Manor, which is near my house. Violet is trying to find homes for some of their cats and their dog. She plans to stay with me. I can teach her to drive and help her get her license and a car. I’m also going to help her get a diploma and maybe take a few classes at the local community college next semester. I live in Mars Hill, NC, about ten miles from their home in Burnsville.

This is a big life change for Linda and Violet for sure. Babz was their rock and shield. It is going to take a village to make this transition. Any help is welcomed and appreciated! All funds will be used to help Linda and especially Violet as they march on without their standard-bearing Valkyrie in front of them. I expect Babz’s friends and family to have some good ideas and love to give moving forward. So I’m setting up this GoFundMe and welcoming the brainstorm. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas moving forward! Thank you so much!!! Babz was a true friend and woman after my own heart.

By the way, my name is Teresa Ramsay, the mail lady who was shot in the head and carjacked in September 2023. I’m somewhat recovered, and content on a life path that brings me folks like Babz, Lin, and Violet to help through the storms life brings us. I am eternally grateful for the love and support of people like Babz and the folks who make our dear Western NC home one of the best places we have ever lived. I am going back to school at Mars Hill University to be a social worker because it makes a big difference to have a friend who really can help you when life gets hard.

These funds will be used to make decisions easier, burdens lighter, and create a cushion for Violet as she discovers the world on her own for the first time. This support may also be used to help Linda settle into a nice place where she can get all her needs met. My needs, thank you dear friends, are met, so I promise this GoFundMe will go only to Violet and Linda as they make this difficult life decision. Thank you all!