Helen Virginia Ramirez

Helen Virginia Ramirez, 86 of Van Buren, Arkansas died March 23, 2014 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born September 4, 1927 in Pittsburg, CA to the late Juan and Mercedes Hurtado Narez. Helen worked for Tillie Lewis Foods in Antioch, CA for many years. Helen and her husband Joe G. (Ray) Ramirez moved to Merced, CA where they owned and operated Progressive Auto Wreckers. In Merced, she and her husband were involved with the Impressa Merced to raise money for various charities. Helen then moved to Arkansas in 2005 till her death.

She is survived by her children, Maria Ramirez, Raymundo Ramirez, and Mercedes Vega all of Arkansas; Martha Magner of Oakley, CA; Bertha Brown of Goleta, CA; Two brothers Genaro Narez of Pittsburg, CA; William Narez of Burbank, CA.; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her late husband Joe G. Ray Ramirez. She is also preceded in death by two sons Francisco Ramirez and Robert Ramirez; brothers, Benjamin P. Narez and Ralph Narez; sister Rose Rivera; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Rosary will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. and followed by a Mass at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, CA. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch, CA. A reception will be held, following the burial, at the Elk's Lodge in Pittsburg, CA.