Frances Lorene Wood

Frances Lorene Ramsey Wood passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in Mannford at the age of ninety-three. Frances was born February 17, 1918 in rural Osage County near Ochelata, Oklahoma on family property that was homesteaded during the Land Run of 1896. She was the daughter William Ramsey, the first Osage County Deputy Sheriff, and Olive (Wilson) Ramsey. During her early years, Frances developed a strong sense of attachment to the State of Oklahoma and its history. Her father and uncle where fast horse riders and as William was an Osage County Deputy, he was able to find the acreage that the family wanted prior to the Land Run and was able to obtain it on the day of the run. They obtained two ten acre by ten acre parcels and established a horse ranch and actually sold them to the United States Army during World War I. This love for Oklahoma prompted, Frances to obtain a court order in her later years that she could never be removed from the State of Oklahoma again. Frances moved from the family farm as a young girl, relocating to Bartlesville where she obtained her education, graduating from Bartlesville High School at the age of sixteen in 1934. Upon graduation, Frances began a long career in retail sales management. She continued her education through management training for both J. C. Penny and K-Mart. She was employed during her career as a sales associate and department manger for J. C. Penny, Sears and K-Mart. She was employed at the K-Mart in Sand Springs for nearly twenty years. She resided for many years on property in rural Pawnee County known as the Little Ponderosa. Her family actually purchased the property prior to the development of Keystone Lake and after the lakeís completion developed the property for residential use. Lorene was a longtime member of the Westport Baptist Church where she was very active until moving to the Cimarron Pointe Care Center in Mannford due to health reasons in 2005. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and always remained abreast of their accomplishments. Frances loved to tell stories to friends and family especially concerning her family heritage and history. She devoted her entire life to taking care of others. Additionally, she was an excellent seamstress, making many of her two sonís clothing during their childhood. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, William and Olive Ramsey; son, Thomas L. Fonda and a sister, Winnie Coonfield. Frances is survived by her son and his wife, William R. and Suzanne Fonda of, Manassas, Virginia; eight grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 4:00 pm Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at Sinnett Cemetery with Rev. Ray Early officiating. Burial will be at the Sinnett Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland.