Ramona Jean (Bowker) Coats White

Ramona Jean (Bowker) Coats White, 75, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at her home.   Ramona was born on August 2, 1946 to Arnold and Edith Bowker of Laverne, Oklahoma.  Her place of birth was at the Mooreland Community Hospital, Mooreland, Oklahoma.  Ramona, along with three siblings and their parents lived five miles east of Laverne for the first four years of life.  She was introduced to a farming community, sat on a horse at the age of two and became acquainted with cattle, crops, plow and combines.  At the age of five, the family moved to Woodward, Oklahoma for a short period of time.  The rural life was missed; the schools, the church and the people they knew and loved so well.  The family then moved back to Laverne where they purchased a home within city limits and there she lived until graduation from high school.

Ramona attended elementary, middle and high school at Laverne Public Schools.  She graduated in 1964, long with 49 other classmates.  While in high school she served as a member of FHA, high school band member and twirler, and provided piano accompaniment for school events.

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.  She was honored to receive a perfect attendance award for church attendance.

Ramona met Harold Max Drew of Rosston, Oklahoma and was married in July of 1964.  To this marriage was born three children; Jayme Dawn, Billy Vaugh, and John Boy.  Her children were the loves of her life and raising them made her realize the value of family and faith.  The legacy she hoped to leave with them truly centered on their continued faith in God.  Observing their growth in musical ability with percussion instruments was truly outstanding.  While raising her family she was prompted to attend Northwest Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma and received a Bachelor’s of Science education in 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.  Ramona experienced tremendous sorrow at the loss of her first born child, Jayme Dawn, at the age of eight.  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 was blessed to meet Ronnie Gene Coats of Oklahoma City and they married in 1977.  To this marriage was brought three children; Krista Louise, Kama Kay and Kara Noelle.  The task of blending this large family that included five children was indeed a huge undertaking, especially without the big house, a dog and a maid.  During Ramona and Ronnie’s marriage, Ramona continued her teaching career and Ronnie worked in the automobile industry.  During those years were many occasions that provided opportunity for ministry efforts; the Lexington Prison Ministry, nursing homes, retirement center and various area churches.  Ronnie went home to be with the Lord in 2013.

Ramona was blessed to meet Charles Russal White, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma.  After a two year courtship they were married on June 1, 2018.  They loved their time together as both made the decision to retire; Ramona, from education, and Charlie, from retail store management.  They determined to rediscover Oklahoma.  Attending church at the Pentecostal Church of God in Meeker, Oklahoma was the highlight of their week.  Ramona and Charles provided help and direction for the annual Christmas program.  This nearly three year marriage ended on January 10, 2021, when Charles went home to be with Lord on January 10, 2021.   To this marriage was brought three children; Sam White, Tammy Jordan, and Tracey Forrester.

Ramona is survived by Billy Vaughn Drew, son, Bethany, Oklahoma; Cammie Story, friend, Yukon, Oklahoma; John Boy and Amanda Drew, son and daughter in law, Tecumseh, Oklahoma; Jamie and Marco Garda, grandchildren, Tecumseh, Oklahoma, Gracie Drew, granddaughter, Tecumseh, Oklahoma, Chloe Drew, granddaughter, Tecumseh, Oklahoma; Sam and Canda White, stepson and daughter in law, Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, Tammy and Brad Jordan, stepdaughter and son in law, Tecumseh, Oklahoma, Tracey and Dwayne Forrester, stepdaughter and son in law, Tecumseh, Oklahoma; Krista and Jay Sherler and Wil, stepdaughter, son in law and grandson, Waco, Texas, Kama Roberts and children, stepdaughter, Lincoln, Nebraska, Kara Robinson and children, stepdaughter, Texas; Charles A. and Doreen Bowker, brother and sister in law, Beaver, Oklahoma; Chuck Bowker, nephew, Woodward, Oklahoma, Jody Bowker, niece, Woodward, Oklahoma, Sula Bowker and family, sister in law, Laverne, Oklahoma, Donna and Todd Herndon, Edmond, Oklahoma; Anthony Bowker, nephew, Edmond, Oklahoma, Corky Bowker and family, nephew, Edmond, Oklahoma, Gary and Bernadette Bowker and family, nephew and niece, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Ramona entered Northwest Oklahoma State University in January 1966 and graduated January 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  She received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Central Oklahoma State University at the age of 41, graduating with a 4.0 grade average.  She attended Oklahoma State University over the next few semesters and received an Elementary Principal’s Certification.  Ramona considered herself a lifelong learner and looked for ways to continue teaching at every opportunity.

Ramona taught for nearly 30 years in public schools, served 4 years in the Federal Gear Up Program, under the supervision of Dr. Alan Ingram, served 13.5 years at the Oklahoma State Department of Education as Assistant State Superintendent of Federal Programs, serving under the direction of Dr. Janet Barresi, and 4 years as a professional development provider to teachers.  Her total years of service in Oklahoma Public Education was 51.5 years.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 24, 2022 with the family gathering to greet friends and family from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cooper Funeral Home and continue through service time.  Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Larry Lockard, Tecumseh First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Yukon Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Ramona’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.