Ramona Diane Paine Woods, 94, of Cimarron, KS, went home to her Savior on February 10, 2023.Ramona was born on October 3, 1928, to John McWilliams Paine and Mary Roberta Patterson Paine ather maternal grandparents' homestead farm in Tillman County, near Manitou, OK. Her childhood years were spent in Oklahoma and Arkansas, many with her beloved maternal grandparents, Mama and Granddad Patterson. Being the oldest child in her family growing up, she filled the role of big sister and helped a great deal with the daily care of her younger siblings. In a memory book, she described herself as a teacher's pet and a bookworm in school. In the mid-1940s, Ramona moved to Kalvesta, KS, where she met the love of her life, Rufus M. Woods, Jr. They were married on May 5, 1947, at the Kalvesta church of the Nazarene. They were active members of both the Kalvesta and Cimarron Nazarene churches.

Ramona worked many years as a cook and bus driver at the Kalvesta grade school. She later spent 26 years working at Cimarron Insurance Company. In addition, she and Jr. spent many years farming in the Kalvesta area, where they raised 7 children and Ramona's little brother Phillip. In 2005 Jr. and Ramona retired and moved into Cimarron, where Ramona was secretary of the Rotary Club, volunteered at the local food bank, and was active in the Gray County Over 50 Senior Center. Ramona's work motto, which she modeled after Mama Patterson, was "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right."

Ramona loved to garden and cook for her big family and always offered a snack and glass of tea to any unexpected guest. She and Jr. loved to square dance and were active in the Pairs N' Squares club in Dodge City. Ramona loved to sew and made many clothes for her children. When her girls were in high school, she sewed uniforms for the whole cheerleading team every year without even having a pattern. She loved to read and passed her passion on to many of her children and grandchildren. When Ramona was nearing the end, and it became more difficult to speak, she was asked about her relationship with her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, She answered without hesitation that she gave her heart to Jesus Christ at the First Baptist Church in Odessa, TX, when she was eight years old. She carried her deep faith throughout her life, and she and Jr. became daily prayer warriors for their family and friends. Ramona's pride and joy was her family, and she loved having them all together. After their move to town, Jr. finished the basement of their house so they could host large family dinners. Any friends the kids and grandkids brought to visit were always welcomed as family, too. It often ended up being standing-room only! Countless memories were made in that basement. As the family continued to grow beyond 150 members (and still growing), Ramona could always tell you the exact family headcount at any point in time. She left a legacy through her faith, family, and a love for all the people in her life.

She is survived by her husband, Rufus M. Woods Jr. of Cimarron; six children: Becky Dumler and husband Roger of Kalvesta; Ruthi Ostgulen and husband Bob of Olathe; Rosemary Smith and husband Garry of Salina; Roger Woods and wife Sandy of Kansas City, MO; Sue Cossman of Jetmore; Ray Dean"Dino" and wife Ginger of Woodward, OK; and daughter-in-law Donna Woods of Cimarron. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Rusty Woods; one grandson, Preston Wayne Smith; one son-in-law, Gary Cossman; one brother; one sister; three half-sisters; one half-brother; six stepsisters; and four step-brothers.

Funeral service will be held at Cimarron Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at10:30 AM, with Rev. Tom Boese presiding. Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery in Cimarron. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Cimarron on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Cimarron Church of the Nazarene or Gray County over 50 Senior Center in care of the Swaim Funeral Home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .The funeral service will be live-steamed at www.cimnaz.org