1944 Miss America Defends Farm With Gun (82 and On Her Walker, Shoots Out Intruder's Tires!)

WKYT ^ | April 20, 2007 | Phil Pendleton

[fight_truth_decay]

She's 82 years old and today says she's not afraid to use a gun to protect her community. This comes after she did just that shooting at a man's car she says was trying to steal metal near her home in Pulaski County. WYMT's Phil Pendleton spoke to the woman and found out something else about our gun totin' grandma.

Venus Ramey knows it would be easy for someone to take advantage of her. She's 82 and needs a walker to get around.

"I'm an old woman. They figure they can get away with a lot," Ramey said.

Last Friday, she says some people tried to get away with some of her scrap metal. They were caught in the act and police say Curtis Parish was the ringleader.

"And he said if you get out of my way, we'll leave. And I said oh no you won't and I shot 2 shots in one of their tires," Ramey said.

Only that wasn't enough for this former Miss America who fired again.

"I shot one and it wouldn't go down. I thought it would go woosh and flatten, but it didn't. They're not made that way, so I shot it again," Ramey said.

Police say stealing scrap metal is an epidemic and they arrested Curtis Parish and charged him with trespassing. Police say he took the rap for the others involved.

Ramey won the Miss America crown in 1944. Now spends her time selling trees on her farm and trying to protect her property from thieves.

"The first time I was robbed on the other side road about 6 or 7 years ago, I caught one man," Ramey said.

But now both police and Ramey say they don't think this man will try to steal from her again.

Police say Ramey had every right to fire the gun since they say she witnessed the men committing a crime on her property.

[fight_truth_decay]

*snip*

"I didn't even think twice. I just went and did it," she said. "If they'd even dared come close to me, they'd be 6 feet under by now."

"Ramey then flagged down a passing motorist, who called 911."

"Curtis Parrish of Ohio was charged with misdemeanor trespassing, Deputy Dan Gilliam said. The man's hometown wasn't immediately available. Three other people were questioned but were not arrested."

"After winning the pageant with her singing, dancing and comedic talents, Ramey sold war bonds, and her picture adorned a B-17 that made missions over Germany in World War II, according to the Miss America Web site."

"Ramey lived in Cincinnati for several years and was instrumental in helping rejuvenate Over-the-Rhine historic buildings. She returned to Kentucky in 1990 to live on her farm."

"I'm trying to live a quiet, peaceful life and stay out of trouble, and all it is, is one thing after another," she said."

[mtbopfuyn]

What a shame her crown has been tarnished by recent queens. You go, Venus!

[shaylalala]

Real women have inner strength and beauty - as well as the outside package.
Good for her!

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Last Friday, she says some people tried to get away with some of her scrap metal.”

The stuff was scrap to the thieves — but, according to other articles, it was antique machinery. Probably worth a lot more than scrap.

[lowbridge]

bump

[Textide]

Interesting life she's had so far!

With a relative who fought in the Revolutionary War, a Grandfather who was a Kentucky State Senator and a father who was a Kentucky State Representative in 1934, it seemed destined that Venus Ramey would develop a passion for public service within the United States political system. In fact, she began this interest at a young age as a page in the Kentucky House or Representatives.

...Being encouraged into show business because of her new fame, Venus performed in vaudeville included in her pageant duties, but made sure she sold war bonds all along the way across the country. Her war efforts in this area resulted in a Special Citation from the United States Treasury Department.

...In her honor her picture was adorned on a B-17 fighter plane, which made 68 sorties over war-torn Germany and never lost a man. The story made the Associated Press.

More here.

[Daaave]

Thanks for the post, and the picture too.
I like reading these kinds of stories. Takes a little of the sadness away from all the stories that don't turn out so good.

[ASA Vet]

Since you liked the previous 4 threads, here’s a ping to number 5.

[fight_truth_decay]

“Old farm equipment” AKA “scrap” to another news source - can be very valuable.

[fight_truth_decay]

Added from your link:

During her tenure, she also worked with Senator Kaper of Kansas and Congressman Somner of Missouri on publishing their bills to get suffrage for Washington D.C. in 1945. For the first time, the District was able to vote. The bill was passed in both houses and signed by the president.

Legendary Hollywood producer Milton Sperling of Warner Brothers Studio sought to sign Venus for a major Hollywood film in 1947, but disgusted with show business, she returned home to her Kentucky tobacco farm (which she has maintained for over fifty years). Venus married, and began raising her two sons.

With Kentucky educational issues and a burning desire to see the word “illegitimate” eradicated from the birth certificates of innocent children among two of her issues, Venus ran for a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Thus making Venus the first Miss America to run for public office. Later, she hosted her own radio show and published her own political newspaper.

[Beowulf9]

Venus in blue jeans. She’s the real Miss America.

[BallyBill]

Darn tires, I always just kick 'em

Either this is the same story or there is lot of old beauty queens shooting out tires.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Either this is the same story or there is lot of old beauty queens shooting out tires.”

Maybe there should be tire shooting competitions at pageants.

[TheBethsterNH]

This story continues to make me smile today!!! This is one from the “greater generation” i think.

[fight_truth_decay]

This is what Time Magazine wrote about Venus back in Sept. 17th, 1945:
Brains, Brains, Brains

"On the last night of this unique academic process Miss America of 1945 was crowned by Miss America of 1944, a typist named Venus Ramey, who seemed more the physical than the intellectual type. It was obvious that the winner had deserved her victory. She had been cool and ladylike throughout and had played Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor without a bobble. She also looked good in a bathing suit."

[bilhosty]

More from Venus

http://www.missamerica.org/newsletter/spring2002/opinion.asp

[Jerrybob]

Somebody better give her a medal of honor.

[ReignOfError]

Steel magnolia.

[fight_truth_decay]

Now that this story was placed “not by me” under the “banglist” it has disappeared from the index under News/Activism. Might the story run with the others?

Thanks
FTD

[ReignOfError]

“Old farm equipment” AKA “scrap” to another news source - can be very valuable.

Pretty much as a rule, anything someone would cross a river to steal is something a homeowner might want to defend.

This is as good a place as any to throw in my favorite Kentucky trick question:

Q: Help me out. The capital of Kentucky. Is it pronounced lou-EE-ville, or lou-UH-vil?
A:lou-UH-vil
Q: Funny. I thought it was pronounced Frankfort.