Frances Marian Ramer Smith

Frances Marian Ramer Smith, formerly of Moro, Arkansas, passed away October 14, 2009 in Austin, Texas. She was born October 24, 1917 in Plumerville, Arkansas. Her parents Francis Marion Ramer and Sena Roach Ramer of Plumerville preceded her in death, as did her husband Jesse Dewey Smith. Also preceding her in death was her brother Raymond Loyd Ramer of Little Rock. Frances married Jesse D. Smith on August 29, 1942 in Conway, Arkansas. After Jesse returned from the Pacific in World War II, he and Frances settled in the town of Moro, where they lived until 1999 when they moved to Austin, Texas to live near their son and daughter-in-law. They had been married for almost sixty-two years when Jesse died there in early 2004. Frances completed high school in Plumerville, and for two years she attended Central Baptist College in Conway. She then transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, where in 1939 she received the Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Frances was a public school teacher in Moro for over twenty years, initially teaching classes in Home Economics and later in English Composition. She and Jesse operated a general merchandise store and cotton gin in Moro, and they were members of the Moro Baptist Church. Frances is survived by her son Dr. William Ramer Smith and his wife Catherine of Austin, Texas, and by grandson Oliver Preston Smith, his wife Christiana and their sons Hudson and Parker Smith of Fort Worth, Texas. Also surviving are her sister-in-law Ruby Jackson Ramer and nephews Robert L. Ramer, Marion J. "Jack" Ramer and Joe D. Ramer, all of Little Rock, and nephew John A. Ramer of Florida. Memorials may be sent to the Memorial Fund of Moro Baptist Church, Moro, AR 72368, or to a charity of one's choice.