Ramona Needham

Ramona Jeannine Needham, age 87, of Nixa, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2019. She was born September 8, 1932 in Dalton, Arkansas, the daughter of John Fred Needham and Mable Estelle (Jordan) Needham Grizzle. Ramona was a southern lady with a beautiful heart and wonderful voice. She graduated from Arkansas State University iin Jonesboro with a master's degree in education. She started teaching in a two room schoolhouse at Huffman, Arkansas in 1951. She taught in Memphis, Tennessee for several years before moving to Ferguson, Missouri. She taught at Walker Elementary School in the Hazelwood District in St. Louis for 30 years until retirement. She and her mother taught together at Walker Elementary. Always a caring person, Ramona lovingly cared for her grandmother, mother, and brother. Like their own grandmother, Ramona (fondly known as NoNo) was devoted to her nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. Ramona was a member of Cassidy United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading mysteries, and served on the Christian County Library Board. She was active with the Missouri Retired Teachers Association. Ramona was an avid Cardinals fan. Survivors include: Her brother, Jordan Needham Sr, of Nixa; two nieces and a nephew, Sandra Cook and husband Ronald of Whitewater, Missouri, Jordan Needham Jr and wife Joyce of Nixa, and Cynthia Matthew and C.W. Walker of Jackson, Missouri; great-nieces and great-nephews and their spouses, Shauna and Jamie Criddle, Sherry and Mike Ford, Ronna and Wade Kramer, Julie and Kevin Hulbert, and Jordan Needham III and Sitti; great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Avery, Tyson and Mitchell Ford, Austin, Addison and Ryan Criddle, Parker and Payton Kramer, and Ayla and Kynzie Hulbert; and godson, Glen Harrell. She was preceded in death by an infant brother Vaunda Needham, a sister-in-law Ina Jean Needham, a very special lifetime friend, Richard Rhea, and her parents. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 10, at Cassidy United Methodist Church, with Pastors Steven Mitchell and Suzanne Epperly officiating. Burial will follow in Hopedale Cemetery, Ozark. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM Tuesday until service time. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.