Ramsey dies in her sleep

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine’s Queen of Rock and Roll Elizabeth Ramsey passed away last Thursday. The singer and comedienne was 83.

Her death was confirmed by her daughter Jaya via a Facebook post. “Mama Beth is now with our Lord... 83 years has been full. Love and laughter, she has given not just our family but the whole nation. Thank you for your love and prayers and I rejoice because she passes in her sleep. In peace. In God’s loving arms. Bye mama, until we meet again. I love you forever. Thank you Jesus.”

She was brought to the Philippine General Hospital last August after she suffered a stroke. She was unconscious for three days before she passed away. Ramsey was born on Dec. 3, 1931 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Her father was Arturo Ramsey, a Jamaican Marine based in the Philippines, while her mother was a Filipina of Spanish descent, Marcelina Rivera Indino, according to Wikipedia.

She had three children with her first husband, who was of Jamaican heritage.

After his death, Ramsey met Ray Kagahastian, a Filipino, with whom she has one daughter, Maria Luisa “Jaya” Ramsey, born in 1969.

She was known for her trademark Visayan-accented dialogues, which she performed in English or Tagalog.

Her career started in 1958 after winning in Student Canteen, the first noontime show on Philippine television.

Her last TV appearance was in the first season of Your Face Sounds Familiar early this year.