Ramona Allen Womack

     Ramona Allen Womack, 92, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away March 19, 2024 at Brandon Wilde Retirement Community in Evans, Georgia.

      Ramona was born to the late Ernest and Ruth Allen on August 22, 1931, in Shoal Creek Township, North Carolina (now a part of Murphy, North Carolina). She graduated from Donora, High School located in Donora, Pennsylvania in 1949, received a Literary Associate Degree from Mars Hill College located outside Asheville, North Carolina in 1951, and completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Home Economics at the University of Tennessee in 1953. She also went on to earn a Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of South Carolina in 1976.

      Ramona married the late Joseph L. Womack in 1951, and resided in Knoxville, Tennessee for the next four years before relocating to Aiken, South Carolina, where they lived for the next sixty-six years. She is survived by four children: Aleta Chancey, of Guntersville, Alabama; Bryan Womack (Patti), of Batesburg, South Carolina; Nala Gradkowski (Mark), of Guntersville, Alabama; and Daran Womack (Linda), of Aiken, South Carolina. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Hope Bledsoe (Preston); Jason Womack (Kayla); Cole Chancey (Emily); Clayton Chancey (Key); Natasha Gradkowski (Hunter Spahn); and Alex Johnson (Luke); as well as eight great-grandchildren: Dominic Bledsoe (Harley), Alaina Bledsoe, Chelsey Steele, Aiden Stone, Hudson Chancey, Henry Chancey, Jackson Spahn, and Canyon Spahn; and one great-great granddaughter, Eleanor Wren Bledsoe. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 2022.

      Ramona was an accomplished teacher, who taught at various schools located in Aiken County over a long period of time. Her experience included teaching 2nd grade at Eustis Park Elementary, Civics and Home Economics at Kennedy Junior High School, and Geography at both the Schofield and Rutland Drive campuses of Aiken High School. She was beloved by her students, especially for her innovative and motivational teaching practices and also for her personal kindness and compassion shown to everyone she taught.

      In addition to teaching school, Ramona was also a dedicated homemaker and a wonderful inspiration to her family and loved ones. She was above all, a woman of faith, who touched the lives of many people from all walks of life. In her words and actions over a very long life, she embodied the qualities of a noble woman expressed in Proverbs Chapter 31: She is clothed with strength and dignity...When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.... Her children stand and bless her.

      The family will receive friends Friday, March 22 from 5 until 7 o'clock at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be in the Southlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.

      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Millbrook Baptist Church, 223 South Aiken Boulevard, Aiken, South Carolina 29803.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC