‘I cannot envision WKRK without’ Emma, owner says
Murphy – Emma Ramsey, also known as Miss Emma, is the epitome of a faithful employee.
WKRK radio has been on the air since 1958. The 1320-AM station was originally owned by Paul Ridenhour, while Ramsey then was working at Clifton Precision.
Before he passed, Ramsey’s husband at the time would go fishing with Ridenhour. One day, Ridenhour asked Emma to come work for him at WKRK.
Ridenhour was impressed with Emma having also worked at the county newspaper north of Asheville, where she also grew up. She has been at WKRK ever since, marking 50 years of faithful employment with the company on June 27.
Tim Radford went to work for the station when he was just 16 years old as a weekend radio announcer, before going on to enter orders and do program logging. When Radford was 22 and purchased WKRK, Emma was already established as the front desk receptionist and selling advertising.
“I was concerned that she’d be retiring soon, and I’m so glad she did not,” Radford said of his newly acquired business and staff at the time.
She did not leave as Radford feared. Today, they still have a great relationship.
“She’s absolutely the perfect, loyal employee, who cares about people and loves people. She never says a bad word about anybody. Any company would love to have her,” Radford said while holding a plaque he had made to show his deep appreciation for her 50 years of service.
Over the years, many folks have thought Emma was Radford’s mother, but Opal Radford gets credit for that. However Radford did say with a proud smile, “I’m honored when people think that. She’s exactly the kind of motherly lady anybody would love to have.”
While Ramsey’s daughter Donna Ware looked on, Radford presented Emma with the plaque that reads:
“To our friend and colleague, Emma Ramsey, Thank you for 50 years of making WKRK a special place.” On May 10, Radford had given her flowers, so the plaque was a total surprise.
Radio has changed over the years, and for that she is thankful, as data entry was once handwritten into journals and invoice books. Today’s computer programs have made the work much easier.
Emma recalled a radio memory involving a little boy.
“One year during Christmas, the temperature was like 0. A little boy needed something medically, so we went on the air and got $13,000, the best I remember it. We did a lot of benefits,” she said.
Ware is proud of her mother and keeps her company on her way to work each day.
“She and my dad are the two nicest people I’ve ever known,” Ware said.
Emma has never been on the air, but has made many friends who call everyday just to check in on her. She said her favorite thing about working at the station is “I like all the people that call.”
Emma also enjoys stones, calling herself a “rockhound.” Her favorites are moonstone and labradorite. Her favorite color is purple, and she loves all flowers.
Summing her time at WKRK, Radford said, “I’ve never had to worry – ever – about her making the company look bad. She’s made the image go up with her character, and that’s the kind of person I appreciate.”
Emma may be a bit older nowadays, but the sweet lady who loves her job isn’t about to go anywhere, as retiring hasn’t crossed her mind.
“She is the glue that holds everything together,” Radford said with a smile. “We all love her.”