Ramona was born on June 12, 1933 in Santa Paula to Donaciano and Anita Mariana Corral Urias. Ramona was a life-long resident of Santa Paula. She attended local schools - Barbara Webster, Isbell Junior High School, and Santa Paula High School, which she graduated from in 1951. In high school, Ramona was active participating in clubs and sports. She was a member of G.A.A., C.H.A., President of the Sportswomen Club, and a member of the California Scholastic Federation. She had fond memories of high school. During that period the Santa Paula High Cardinals were a powerhouse in football, successfully winning league and C.I.F championships. Ramona’s high school sweetheart and future spouse, Frank Chavez, was the Captain of that last championship team. They both had many lifelong friends from high school.
While growing up in Santa Paula, as a young teenager, Ramona traveled with her family during summers to work in agriculture, picking crops in Central and Northern California. Thereafter, Ramona spent her career employed in different vocations. Ramona was a secretary at Point Mugu Naval Air Station. She also worked for the Ventura County Agricultural Department as a secretary. Additionally, she was a key employee in the family businesses, C&A Plastering, Inc. and DLC Plastering, Inc. Moreover, she was a co-owner of Victor’s Liquor Store. Ramona’s last career was in realty as a licensed realtor. With her siblings, Ofelia De La Torre, Alfonso Urias, and Frank Urias, they found Glen City Real Estate. For years Ramona and Ofelia served as the principals of the business until their retirement. They were known for their service, professionalism, and were passionately engaged in their business.
In addition to her professional career, Ramona was also a homemaker. She was married to Frank Chavez in 1952. They raised two sons, David and Bill. From early on, life revolved around the family. From weekend barbecues at Steckel Park to summers camping and fishing in Yosemite, the Eastern Sierra, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Yellowstone and traveling through Mexico. Frequently, trips would include not only their sons and respective spouses, Myra and Esperanza, and grandchildren, but also the De La Torre, Ramirez, Mendoza, Duran, and Urias families. Ramona also traveled to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Tahiti in French Polynesia, and the Fiji Islands. Ramona’s favorite place to visit was Las Vegas, Nevada. She enjoyed playing video poker and keno. She loved playing at Binion’s Horseshoe and the Fremont. She was named to the Fremont’s Wall of Fame where her image is still displayed.
Ramona will be remembered for her joy of life, friendly personality, humor, wit, generosity, and love of family. She lived a blessed and gratifying life. She enjoyed visiting with her sons, daughters-in law, grandchildren and her great-grandchild. She loved to cook along with Frank. Their tamales will always be remembered. She loved to view the Dodgers, Lakers, professional football, especially Tony Romo, and golf, especially Tiger Woods.
Ramona is survived by her children, David Chavez (wife Myra), William (wife Esperanza); grandchildren David Manuel (wife Trisha), Anthony Chavez, Vincent Chavez, Frank Chavez, and John Chavez; great-granddaughter Kye Rose Chavez. She is survived by siblings, Eleanor Ramirez, Frank Urias (wife Eva), sisters-in-law Marina Urias and Delphina Lopez. Ramona leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Chavez, parents Donaciano and Anita Urias, siblings Alfonso Urias, Celia Jimenez, Ofelia De La Torre, Rita L. Mendoza, Maria Avilez and Candelaria Pardo; brothers-in-law Jose Jimenez, Salvador Ramirez, Louis De La Torre, Modesto Mendoza, Victor Chavez, David R. Chavez, Eddie Chavez, and Tomas Avilez.
The Chavez Family is grateful for the kind, enduring, and loving care Ramona received at Vista Cove Care Center. Special thanks to Maria Ortega and Nicole Ortega for the care they provided to Ramona. We thank Ramona’s nieces Anne Leland and Catherine De La Torre-Martinez for their love and compassion towards their aunt. Finally, we are appreciative of family members, friends and acquaintances for their kind words, blessings and visits made to Ramona. We will always love our mother. She will be admired for a life well-lived.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 5:00 P.M., followed with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 PM at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula Street, Santa Paula, California. A Mass will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 427 N. Oak Street, in Santa Paula, California. Burial to follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road, Santa Paula, California.
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