Lolita Julia Ramos, longtime Jefferson County District Clerk and well known figure in local media, political, and criminal justice circles, passed away at the age of sixty-seven on Sunday, October 13, 2013, after a debilitating illness.
Ms. Ramos was the daughter of the former local television anchor and newsman, Ralph Ramos, and his wife, Irene, of Beaumont.
After her election in 1986, Lolita Ramos became Jefferson County’s first female clerk and one of the first women elected to a local political office in fifty years. Between her first election and current tenure, Ramos served three consecutive terms as head of the county clerk’s office. In the years after her graduation from French High School and attendances at Lamar University and Texas State University, she worked during the early 1970’s as a news and feature writer for the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal. She then pursued career opportunities in Austin, where she became the Chief Deputy of Planning and Administration for the Travis County Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Ramos returned to Beaumont in 1983, to work for Judge Ron Walker as bailiff for his 58th District Court.
As a volunteer, she served as chair of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and was a steady supporter of the Girls’ and Boys’ Haven, often steering fundraising efforts and special events. Lolita Ramos was known for her tenacity vivaciousness and compassion. Throughout her long life she attracted loving friendships with people of all ranks and will be remembered for her wit, generosity and sense of justice.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and, sister, Rita Ramos Alford.
Survivors include her daughter, Melissa Anne Parvin-Dowell and her husband, T.J., of San Antonio; sister, Anita Kiker and her husband, Homer, of Fannett; nieces and nephews, Melanie and Kevin Nunez, Glenn and Lindsey Kiker, and Michelle and Ronnie Rasa; great-nieces and nephews, Rita Thornton, Amanda Alford, Alvin Michael Savoy, Ferrell Kiker, Stone Kiker, Speed Rasa, and Roadie Rasa.
A Christian Vigil for Ms. Ramos will be 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 17, 2013, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross, 706 Magnolia Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Girls’ Haven, 3380 Fannin Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or Boys’ Haven of America, P.O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
