Former Newspaper Publisher Dies

Ramona Washburn, longtime owner and publisher of The McKenzie Banner and the Dresden Enterprise, died Monday June 28, 2021 at her home in McKenzie. She was 88 years old.

Mrs. Washburn was born October 1, 1932, to James Shobe Kemp and Lillie Mae Chapman Kemp. She was born in Weakley County and attended Henry School. She later earned her GED and attended the area state vocational school majoring in office occupations.

She married James L. Washburn in 1948. They attended Caledonia Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church in McKenzie, where she was a member until the point of her death.

Mrs. Washburn held many jobs over the years, including substitute teacher and seamstress. She will best be remembered as an owner and publisher of The McKenzie Banner.

With the passing of her husband in 1985, Mrs. Washburn became the majority owner of Tri-County Publishing, Inc. She served as publisher of both The McKenzie Banner and the Dresden Enterprise until April 2015.

Along with serving as publisher and co-owner with her sons, she worked as a sales representative for Tri-County Publishing and secretary of API. She was a charter member of the McKenzie Jaycettes, serving as secretary, president, state director and was named Woman of the Year. She was president of the McKenzie PTA, secretary-treasurer of the Carroll County PTA, president of the Carroll County Democrat Women, member of the Democrat Executive Committee and served on the Carroll County Election Commission.

She was a member of the Homecoming ‘86 steering committee, director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce serving as Membership chairwoman, Cub Scout den mother, member of the Carroll County Voc-Tech School Committee, McKenzie Voc-Tech School Advisory Committee and a member of the VFW Post 4939 Auxiliary.

In April 2015, Ramona sold her shares of Tri-County Publishing to her sons, Joel and Jeff. Joel assumed the position of publisher of The McKenzie Banner and Dresden Enterprise. Four years later, in September 2019, Joel became the sole owner of Tri-County Publishing, Inc.