I know people have heard this over and over, but I am sure the Lord blessed me with the best mom a guy ever had.  I remember Mom saying, “God is in your heart” and “Let go, let God.”  When she was a bit peeved, she would say, “Oh, piffle!”  When we were in the car, and she saw someone down and out, she would dig in her purse and give them some money, even though she was living on social security.  Her cooking was to die for—she made the best potato salad I have ever tasted!  She would fry up some chicken, and she always got a good scald on it.  Mom’s chicken and rice was excellent, too.  Mom was a very hardworking little lady.  Even when she couldn’t walk without a walker, she made her bed every day, no matter how badly she felt; she was not lazy at all.  Mom and I would watch our soap operas at night.  She recorded them so I could watch them after work.  On Saturday night, we would watch “Svengoolie.”  I still watch it and imagine Mom is there in spirit watching it with me.  When I hear certain songs that she liked, it brings me to tears.  I miss her so much it hurts.  Mom also wrote poetry.  She is a published poet, and her poems are quite good.  A lot of her poetry has a reference to God.  She was not only a good and giving woman, she was a good Christian.  When her sister, Shirl, died, it really aged her.  Mom and Shirl were really close.  They grew up dirt poor, and it took a toll on them.  However, Mom had some happiness in her life, too.  I remember back in the 80s, my sister, Melissa, would bring April and Meagan over on the weekends for Mom to babysit.  You never saw a happier or prouder grandma.  She loved it!  She also felt very loved when, at the end of her life, she got sick and needed round-the-clock attention.  My two sisters and my two nieces would take turns during the day to be with Mom.  She got to spend the last couple of months with her girls, which meant the world to her.  

Another happy memory was when we would go to Fort Smith, Arkansas to see her relatives and go to "Grandma’s house."  Mom was born there, and it was the best time of the year for her and her mom.  My grandma would prepare all year for our week-long summer visit.  When you drive into Fort Smith city limits, there is an old bridge called the Moffit Bridge that you have to cross.  I remember I would look at Mom, and she would have a big smile on her face.  She would tell us about her sister and their friends driving down Grand Avenue.  They called it “dragging the line.”  Then we would drive on, and she would show us the old school where she and her sister went.  While we were in Fort Smith, my sisters and I would hear the same ol’ funny stories about them growing up in Fort Smith, and we never got tired of hearing them.  I know that my sisters and I would give anything if we could go back in time and hear those crazy stories and be with all our kin again over at Uncle Ricky’s house on Wednesday night and see Grandma sitting in her favorite corner and Mom at the table, happy as a lark.  I miss those times more than words can express.  Even as tired as my sister and I would get from driving all day to get to Fort Smith, it was a treat to see Mom’s pretty blue eyes light up when she went home every year.  The good Lord saw her blue eyes light up and the big smile on her face when He called her home to where her mother, father, sister, brother, son, and all her other relatives and friends were waiting for her with open arms.  I love you Mom, and I hope to see you again in the afterlife.  You are the best thing that has EVER happened to me.
Love, your son, Joey.

I will miss you Emma.....grandmother to my daughters.....mother in-law....mom.  I will forever remember the last time we talked.  I could have been a better son-in-law. I wish I had called or visited more.  But don't think that I wasn't thinking about you.  I was always asking your granddaughters how you were. And they would tell me about the times they spent with you. Joey, Jessica, Melissa.....I will miss your mother. Per our last phone call I still owe her a dinner. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family Emma, your son-in-law Mark.

Grandma, you had such a beautiful soul and I hope you know how many people looked up to you. Your life and stories taught us all how to be better people. You showed so many people how to be selfless and care for others, how to be supportive and proud of their loved ones, and how to be strong and wise even during hardships. You taught us how to enjoy life and not take any moments for granted. Your laugh was infectious and I giggle to myself everyday when I think of you. Thank you for bringing so much joy and love into our lives. I love you so, so much grandma. And I know you love me too. 

Mom-your love, your laughter, your humor, and your faith in God will be with me always. I will continue to think of you each and every day, thinking of your smile, your voice, your eyes full of love, the way you said, “I love you, Mert.” Thank you for loving me, mom. I am go grateful to have been loved by someone so beautiful. I miss you dearly but I know I will see you again.

My grandma was full of stories. I get my love of stories from her. She had a good sense of humor about everything and could have us rolling in tears from laughing so hard. I will always cherish the stories she shared and mourn the ones I will never hear. She was truly the best grandma, incredibly loving and selfless, and unapologetically herself. I never felt so loved just by hearing her say Hi Megsy - something I wish I could hear one last time. A piece of me went with her when she left us, but a piece of her lives in my heart always. 

Grandma, I love you more than I can say. It hurts that you’re gone, but I have a lifetime of memories to keep me tickled as you would say. Thank you for being so wonderful. 

When I think about Mom, there are a million little things that come to mind, but when placed all together, I see that they are not so little after all because they all came from love.  I remember when Melissa and I were elementary age, and our dad would take Joey and Tito hunting.  Mom, Melissa, and I would always go eat at Wyatt’s Café—with the highlight being strawberry shortcake.  I remember Mom taking us shopping every year before school or for Easter outfits, usually at J.C. Penneys or Sears.  I remember when Mom came to eat lunch with us at Camelot Elementary school—that was such a big thing, and it meant so much to have Mom there.  I remember having tea and cookies with Mom.  I remember the delicious smells of Sunday dinner being cooked by Mom and watching the Lawrence Welk Show, Hee Haw, Laugh-In, or the Sonny and Cher Show.  I remember when making chocolate pudding on the stove became a big thing—we would eat warm chocolate pudding, topped with whipped cream, while watching whatever was on T.V.  I remember the first time Mom French braided my hair.  I loved it and kept asking her to do it for me from then on.  I remember Mom flashing the porch light when she wanted for us to come inside for the night.  I remember Mom having banana split parties for us in the backyard.  I remember Mom taking us to the lake for a picnic.  I remember all the nights Mom, Patti, and I went out to the clubs, followed by the breakfasts we would eat at 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning.  I remember the night Mom and I spent at the hospital waiting for Melissa to give birth to April and how Mom covered me up with newspapers because the hospital was so cold, and I was freezing.  I remember traveling to Fort Smith every summer with Mom and how we would find different places to eat along the way.  I remember Mom’s wonderful laugh, and I miss it so much.  I miss Mom so very much, but I will look for comfort in the many special memories and pray to God that someday we will be together again.

I’m so sorry for aunt Emma’s passing.  I know how much mema adored their time when she would visit.  I will always remember the sisterly love I witnessed when aunt Emma visited.  I know they are laughing it up in heaven with Ann! My thoughts and prayers with you guys. 
Love jessie 

OBITUARY

Emma Jean Ramirez

March 7, 1935 – December 7, 2020

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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