Joan Ramier's Obituary
Joan Smith Ramier, 87, passed away on July 2, 2019. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina to Margaret Armstrong and Bernard Fenwick Smith on October 13, 1931, she was raised in Dyersburg, TN. After earning a B.A. in English in 1953 from Rhodes College (formerly known as Southwestern at Memphis), she married Donald Allison Ramier, Jr. She and her husband, Don, began their marriage on the island of Guam, where he was stationed in the Navy. They spent two idyllic years on the then beautifully unspoiled and undeveloped island, which they called paradise. While there, she taught school and made many life-long friendships with both her students and their families.After living in Guam, Joan and Don moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1957, they returned to Memphis, Tennessee to live out the rest of their lives. Joan was a beautiful pianist and taught private piano lessons from their home. Most of her students were children of family friends whom she adored. Joan’s father was an English immigrant and she was very interested in getting to know her English relatives. Throughout the years, she exchanged many letters overseas, which culminated into the opportunity to visit England and get to know the loved ones she had known only through written correspondence. Her desire to know the English side of the family brought many people together who may have otherwise never known each other.Joan was the kindest, most patient, and gentle person one could ever meet. She also had a sharp sense of humor hidden behind her loveliness that could catch anyone off guard. Joan was an outstanding mother and devoted wife. As strong as or stronger than Joan of Arc, she imparted strength and faith in God to her family. Her sweet spirit and demeanor never wavered, even during the grips of the cruel disease she endured.Joan was a sustaining member of the LeBonheur Club and a member of Germantown Presbyterian Church. Joan’s family thanks the many kindhearted caregivers of Brookdale who faithfully served her and encouraged her each day. Sincere thanks also go to the compassionate and committed people at Majestic Gardens, who took her under their wing during the last stage of her disease. The family thanks Compasses for providing Joan comfort and peace. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Allison Ramier, Jr., of 58 years, and her son, Don A. Ramier, III, and survived by her daughter, Betsy Ramier Vacheron (Dominique). She leaves three grandchildren whom she utterly adored beyond measure and all born within six days of each other, Nathalie and Albert Vacheron of Germantown, Tennessee and Donny Ramier, IV, of Memphis, Tennessee. She also leaves two sisters, Patsy Smith Gill (Nelson) and Anne Smith Sarber. A service will be held at Germantown Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday July 12, 2019__________________________________________________ Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Joan to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Donations may also be mailed to the Alzheimer’s Association at P.O. Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-601.To view the memorial tribute video, please click the link below: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/4MB7MCBCZXY7RN9W
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