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Ramona Jean Grooms, 81, of Jacksonville gained her wings on July 19, 2021, surrounded by her girls. She leaves us with good memories and a spiritual soul that will live on forever. On February 6, 1940 in Milfred, Iowa, Ramona was born at Minnie Caukins Nursing Home, as the small town did not have hospitals. Ramona was the middle child of Oliver and Margaret Aalseth.

Ramona attended grade school at Okojobi, a small school for grades first through twelfth. Being a daddy's girl, when she wasn't schooling, she worked with her dad on the farm. In 1957, with only nine other students, Ramona graduated high school. She later attended college at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, majoring in sociology and minoring in history/religion. Ramona graduated college in 1965.

In 1966, Ramona moved to California where she became a first and second grade teacher. Around this time she met Milton Grooms, who she married, and they had their first child, Rachel, in 1970. Ramona went on to open a home daycare, then she and Milton welcomed their second child, Brianne, in 1975. Her girls were the center of her world. She was very active in their lives and spent a lot of time volunteering for their activities, ranging from the PTA at their school, to a variety of sporting programs. In addition, Ramona was actively involved in raising Milton's other children; Kim, Milton, and Dwayne.

In 1979 a very good friend, Relda DeMonica, introduced Ramona to our Lord Jesus Christ and she was born again. Ramona was a member of the Angeles Temple in Los Angeles, California (a non-denominational church). She has been a prayer warrior since the day she gave her life to God.

Still focusing on education, in 1986 Ramona started her own tutoring business called "I Can Read Clinic". Using the "Hooked on Phonics" programs, she taught many children to read, including her own grandchildren.

Ramona divorced in 1988 and she moved to Cabot, Arkansas, joining her sisters, Donna and Betty, in running "The Mouse House '' on their parent's farm. During this time, she also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Mountain Springs Fire Department. She was a member of Church on the Rock and later Grace Fellowship.

After The Mouse House closed, Ramona moved to Pine Bluff, which was where her sister, Betty, had moved to. She helped take care of Betty and became a member of the Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. As Betty became increasingly ill, both sisters joined their younger sister, Donna, in the outskirts of Jacksonville where they would all three live together as the "Golden Girls". Here, she became a member of Vilonia Methodist Church. After the passing of her sister, Betty, Donna became Ramona's caretaker. In her last years, Ramona started a series of weekly inspirational emails called "The Lighthouse", totaling 400, that inspired many people.

In addition to her parents, Ramona will be welcomed into Heaven by her sister, Betty Aalseth; brother, Jack Aalseth; and grandson, Kavon Dixon.

Ramona is survived by her children, Rachel (Bruce) May and Brianne (Frank) Crockom; bonus children, Dwayne Aalseth, Milton (Teresa) Grooms III, and Kimberly (Richard) Webb; sisters, Donna Ooley and Corine Beving; grandchildren, Keyana (Cardero) Neal, Kevin (Brittany) Dixon Jr., Bre'jon (Ivan) Crockom, and Bryce Crockom; step-grandsons, Christian Edmondson and Damario May; twelve bonus grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; goddaughter, Wendy (Greg) James; a special niece, April (Russ) Overton; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones from coast to coast that adored her.

A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136.