Ramona Jean (Bowker) Coats White, 75, of Shawnee, OK, died Jan. 18, 2022, at her home.
Ramona was born Aug. 2, 1946, to Arnold and Edith Bowker of Laverne, OK.
Ramona was a member of the Laverne Baptist Church. She was enrolled shortly after her birth into cradle roll and served during her high school years as the church pianist and organist.
Ramona met Harold Max Drew of Rosston, OK, and was married in July of 1964.
While raising her family she attended Northwest Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1969.
Ramona began a career in teaching in January 1969 and served in Oklahoma Public Schools for nearly 30 years. Ramona’s education specialty fields were elementary music, regular classroom at various grade levels and gifted education programs.
The largest musical productions took place while teaching in Yukon Public Schools. The Christmas and spring musicals engaged well over 800 students.
She received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Central Oklahoma State University. She attended Oklahoma State University over the next few semesters and received an Elementary Principal’s Certification.
Ramona taught for nearly 30 years in public schools, served in the Federal Gear Up Program, at the Oklahoma State Department of Education as Assistant State Superintendent of Federal Programs, and as a professional development provider to teachers.
Ramona and Max were divorced after eleven years of marriage, and this in turn, took Ramona and her children to Oklahoma City to begin life anew.
Ramona met Ronnie Gene Coats of Oklahoma City, and they married in 1977.
During those years she served at the Lexington Prison Ministry, nursing homes, retirement center and various area churches. Ronnie died in 2013.
Ramona met Charles Russal White, of Tecumseh, OK and after a two year courtship they were married on June 1, 2018. They Attended Pentecostal Church of God in Meeker, OK and provided help and direction for the annual Christmas program. Charles died Jan. 10, 2021.
Ramona is survived by Billy Vaughn Drew, son, Bethany, OK; John Boy and Amanda Drew, son and daughter in law, Tecumseh, OK; five grandchildren; Sam and Canda White, stepson and daughter-in-law, Bethel Acres, OK; Tammy and Brad Jordan, stepdaughter and son-in-law, Tecumseh, OK; Tracey and Dwayne Forrester, stepdaughter and son in law, Tecumseh, OK; Krista and Jay Sherler, stepdaughter, son-in-law, Waco, TX; Kama Roberts and children, stepdaughter, Lincoln, NE; Kara Robinson and children, stepdaughter, TX; Charles A. and Doreen Bowker, brother and sister in law, Beaver, OK; Sula Bowker and family, sister-in-law, Laverne, OK; Donna and Todd Herndon, Edmond, OK; nieces and nephews; and other family and friends.
Service was Jan. 25, 2022, at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Larry Lockard, Tecumseh First Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed at Yukon Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. The celebration of Ramona’s life was live-streamed through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
