Orpha L. “Esther” Ramírez was born September 29, 1928 in Harlingen, Texas and passed October 29, 2021 in Fresno, CA. She was a devout Christian and a member of the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Fresno/ First Mexican Baptist Church of Fresno in Chinatown, Fresno. Orpha was the eldest of 10 children born to Rosendo G. and Raquel R. Lopez of Fresno, California. She is preceded in death by her siblings Olivia Martinez, Aurora Gonzalez, Lydia Garcia, Delia Castro, Dr. Rev. Noe R. Lopez, and David Lopez. At the age of 13, her family migrated to California and settled into Labor Camp #2 outside of Mendota CA. Life was not easy and Orpha quit high school in order to help her family. With her family, she picked and chopped cotton, and migrated on month long stays in San José and Brentwood CA. to pick plums, peaches, apricots, peppers etc. that kept the family fed. It was after picking cotton and while at the labor camp that she met her future husband Froylan S. Ramirez. They married in 1947 and after their first two children were born moved to Fresno, CA.. Orpha continued to work in the fields of Fresno alongside her husband until she obtained a job at a linen supply company. She transferred to Mission Linen Supply where she became not only one of their best workers but also Shop Steward for the union representing the workers. By now there were six children to feed and both Orpha and her husband worked long and hard to keep the family fed as well as making sure they were provided opportunities to feel loved and appreciated. Together and on a farmworker and laundry worker wage, they bought a house on Illinois Ave. for $6,000. Orpha always emphasized obtaining higher education to her children. Orpha and Froylan created an elementary school principal, Fresno State administration assistant, Fresno State educational advisor, state department EDD specialist, state department disability worker, and college professor/minister. They loved traveling and took trips to Disneyland, Mexico, Los Angeles, Arizona New Mexico, and Texas. They often traveled with their children to San Francisco and 1,800-mile journeys to Mexico City to visit Froylan’s brothers and sisters now deceased Jesus Ramirez, Rebecca Ramirez, Lionel Ramirez (Fresno), Glafira Ramirez-Silva, and Bougainvilea Ramirez. These were a few of the highlights that her children will cherish and remember. Weekends treks to Bass Lake and Yosemite were common place.Orpha was a wonderful mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, and she enjoyed attending birthday parties for all her grandchildren. She doted on her grandchildren teaching them songs she learned as a child from her mother, father, Grandparents Nacho and Nacha Robledo, at church, and on the radio. She loved country music including Texan born singer Freddy Fender.In her 50s Orpha became ill and quit her job at the laundry. Her recovery was long, but during her rehabilitation she decided to go back to school and get her High School diploma and learn to type. She was bilingual and determined to further her job opportunities. She was hired as an interim employee, working for Child Protective Services, Fresno County and passed a state test to become a Certified Court Interpreter for the Fresno County Municipal Courts. Soon she worked full-time as a Receptionist at CPS. She had a bird’s eye view of all that was happening on a daily basis. As was her MO she counseled, scolded, praised not only clients but her supervisors as well as case workers. She was respected, and loved by all. Orpha retired to enjoy her lifetime love of being with her family and attending church services. She was an intelligent, wise, and witty woman who played the piano. In retirement Orpha enjoyed traveling, feeding anyone who came to visit, and making tamales with family. She was a lifelong Mexican-American Baptist Member and attended her historic church in Fresno’s Chinatown where her brother pastored for 42 years.
Orpha, our mother is survived by her husband of 74 years, Froylan S Ramírez. Six children, Irma Rangel (Juan) Nipomo, Ca., Froylan L Ramirez (Jennie)Clovis CA., Esther Rodriguez (Alejandro) Fresno, CA., Moses David Ramirez (Sandy) Fresno, CA., Pedro Ramirez (Betty) Stockton, CA., and Angelica Ann Artigas Clovis, CA., as well as 18 Grandchildren, 34 Great Grandchildren, and 3 Great Great Grandchildren. Orpha, our beautiful and witty Mom will be missed by all who knew her. We know she is rejoicing with her Celestial family.
