Doris Marie White Ramirez

Doris Marie White Ramirez, born November 10, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana and passed from this life on December 1, 2009. She is a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt and will be missed by so many who loved her. Doris met the love of her life, Edward L. Ramirez, Sr., also of New Orleans and they married in 1947. Seven children followed, all born in New Orleans. They had the best mother anyone could hope to have. The family moved from New Orleans to Farmers Branch in 1963 and lived a life filled with lots of love and noise. Mom was always there as our support. She always had words of wisdom and encouragement and arms to hold you when you needed it. She set an example for all of her children by living a life that was full of compassion, honesty, and selflessness. Her beautiful smile warmed the hearts of all. Doris was the mother that everyone wanted, and many of our friends spent more time at our house than their own. They were always welcomed and treated like they were her own children. Sunday dinners were a tradition in the family—roast, rice, gravy, peas and carrots—we can still smell it. Doris worked very hard all of her life, raising her children and helping run the family optical business. She and Edward loved to travel and went to Europe and Mexico several times. Life was good until signs of Alzheimer’s started. They call Alzheimer’s the long goodbye, and that was certainly true with Doris. She has been battling the disease for the past twelve years in varying stages. Throughout the journey, Edward has been by her side, taking care of her every need, along with the support of their children. It has been a long and sad time, losing the woman we knew. We watched her struggle bravely throughout these years and can only hope that we all have the same fortitude when faced with our own battles. Edward will miss his Doris so much. She was the love of his life. Her large family will miss her and keep all the wonderful memories close. Doris is preceded in death by her mother, Corinne d'Aquin White, father Henry L. White, Sr. and brother Henry L. White, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Edward Ramirez,Sr., her seven children, Edward, Jr and wife Kathy Ramirez, Robert C. and wife Melodee Martin Ramirez, Kathy Aaron, Anne and husband Jerry (Bubba) Shaw, Sue Ramirez, Jenny and husband Bill Nesgood, and Renee and husband Craig Brashear. Grandchildren Melanie and Lonnie Aaron, Stefanie Lattanzio, Wendy Nevitt, Mandy Wojcik, Scott Ramirez, Christopher Ramirez, Michael Ramirez, Jessica Nichols, Lauren Brashear, Jeff and Tiffany Shaw. Great Grandchildren Sophie and Lila Wojcik, Drew and Walter Nevitt, Luke and Isabel Aaron, Alexandra Lattanzio, Jack Nichols, and Mikah and Canyon Shaw. She is also survived by her “baby” brother, Pat White of New Orleans, LA and many nieces and nephews. We want to thank her wonderful and loving caregivers for the past two years, MayAnne and Bobby Morgan. We also want to thank American Hospice caregivers and nurses, Mary, Karen and Bill, who were such a blessing in her life and ours. We thank you for taking such loving care of our precious wife and mother. She was loved by so many and will be missed by all. She led a life of goodness and filled the lives of so many with the same. We miss you already.