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Submitted: 6/11/22 • Approved: 6/27/22 • Last Updated: 6/30/22 • R1436239-G1436238-S3
April 20, 1931 - March 4, 2010
Wife of Weldon Odell Ramey
*Obituary
Mary Donna Kelly Ramey was born April 20, 1931 in the Sunnyside Community, between Alma and Van Buren. She died Thursday, March 4, 2010 after a prolonged, courageous struggle with Parkinson's disease. Mary was the daughter of Lee and Carrie Kelly.
She is survived by three sisters, Ida Mae McKown of Springdale, Ilene Hauck of Pryor Lake, MN, and Joann Redding of Alma. Mary attended public schools in Alma, Oak Grove, and Van Buren. She spoke often and fondly of her teachers and classmates. When Mary was 16, she met a young man from Van Buren, Weldon Ramey. After five weeks of dating, they were married. No one gave this marriage a chance. This was 63 years ago.
Mary and Weldon had two daughters, Donna Maria Ramey of Fayetteville, and Krissena Lee Ramey-Marshell of Alma; five grandchildren, Tristan Serio of Fayetteville, Ramey Marshell , Brendan Marshell, Johnathan Marshell, and Ashtyn Marshell all of Alma; as well as two great-grandchildren, Kyra Serio and Ian Serio both of Fayetteville.
When the Korean War began, Weldon was called to active duty with the Air Force. Mary was with him side-by-side at various bases in the United States, Philippines, Turkey, and Italy. Mary always found time to help others quietly and with dignity wherever they were stationed. Mary and Weldon retired from the Air Force in 1973 and returned home.
Mary designed the home they built in Chester and she continued to help others by serving on the Mountainburg School Board and as secretary and mayor of Chester. In 1990, Mary and Weldon moved to Alma where their home is located today. Aside from her family, the most important thing in her life became her church, the Alma United Methodist Church. She often told Weldon that she was so sorry that her disease did not allow her to participate in the activities of the church. She loved the past and present pastors of the church and the warm, friendly and understanding people who attend the church.
Finally the disease overwhelmed Mary, and she had to go to the Methodist Nursing Home in Fort Smith. The disease took her life but she fought the good fight and never gave up on hope, faith or God.
Funeral services was Monday, March 8, 2010 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Fairview Cemetery overlooking Van Buren and the River Valley.
In God's good time, Weldon will be buried along side Mary and also in God's good time, they will rise up together and will never be parted again.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 6/11/22 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1436239