Our mother, Ramona Dolores Gra’Ves, was born Ramona Dolores French on June 17, 1936, to the union of Rosaline English of San Francisco and Robert French, originally from Louisiana. A descendent from a very colorful and historically significant ancestry, she is one of seven consecutive generations of her family to establish roots in San Francisco. Her lineage traces back to such varied origins as Victoria British Columbia, Grand Turk Island in the Caribbean, and the Quaker communities of Pennsylvania—and includes such figures as the civil rights activist & historian W.E.B. Du Bois.
Our mother, the oldest of five siblings (Charlene, Tyrone, Dennis and Florence), spent her childhood in the Fillmore District. She attended Emerson Elementary Girl’s School and graduated from Mission High School. A high achiever academically, her winning personality made her very popular with fellow students. During her school years, she won the title “Miss Legs of San Francisco”.
Our mother had six children: Lowana, Yvette, Craig, Gina, Dana, and “Little Ramona”. (Sadly Craig and Ramona preceded her in death, along with her parents, her brothers Tyrone and Dennis, and her husband William.) Even in the midst of raising her family, she decided to further her education and enrolled in City College of San Francisco. It was no easy task raising six children, being a full time student and holding a part-time job, but she was blessed with the constant support of her mother, Rose. She graduated from City College with a 4.0 average and received the Ford Scholarship Award, but her commitment to her family to precedence over going away to a four-year college. She received an A.A. in early childhood education and, at the time of her passing, was in her 35ther husband William.) Even in the midst of raising her family, she decided to further her education and enrolled in City College of San Francisco. It was no easy task raising six children, being a full time student and holding a part-time job, but she was blessed with the constant support of her mother, Rose. She graduated from City College with a 4.0 average and received the Ford Scholarship Award, but her commitment to her family to precedence over going away to a four-year college. She received an A.A. in early childhood education and, at the time of her passing, was in her 35thyear working at Sojourner Truth Childcare Center. Totally committed to her work, she had finally planned to retire in 2012.
Our mother’s nurturing instincts were unceasing. Having raised six children to adulthood, she promptly decided to become a foster mother and welcomed into her family Avery Collins Jr. and Shaneca and Jimondre Redman.
Our mother now has a dynasty of her own, with 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She never missed a birthday party, graduation, or any other celebration involving her family. She was the definitive example of a family-oriented person. Words can’t express the love we have for our mother.