Ramon Eugene Bookman

"Zeke" of Midlothian, Va died August 29th 2023 at age 97. Born July 19, 1926 in Richmond, Va. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Doris Elizabeth Sheppard Ellett Bookman, his parents Lillie Adele Cheatham Bookman and Claude Payne and Herman C and lillian Watts Bookman, grandparents Henry Christopher and Lillie E. Westmoreland Cheatham and John e. and Josephine Cheatham Westmoreland. Ramon married widowed Doris Elizabeth Sheppard Ellet in June 1961 and became an instant "Father" as well as husband He is survived by his adoring daughters, Jane Elizabeth Lewis Ellett "Betty" and Pamela Ellett Alley (Greg), grandsons Bryan Redford Lewis (Gina), Gregory Webb Alley, Jr.(Reagan), Christopher Wyatt Alley, great-grandsons Lance Bookman Lewis and Ian Luke Alley and a great- granddaughter Lillian Anne Alley. Ramon attended RIchmond Public Schools and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1943. He retained friends from school, Oak Grove Baptist Church and the Oak Grove Neighborhood "the Oak Grove Gang" for his entire lifetime. Church was an integral part of Ramon's Life. After growing up in Oak Grove Baptist he was a member of Westover Baptist, moving to Bon Air Baptist when he married Doris and later they both moved to Bethel Baptist Where he remained a devoted, involved and generous member until his death. Ramon was a gifted musician having begun to play the piano at age 9. This talent brought pleasure to him and those blessed to hear him play throughout his life. He played until the age of 90. He enjoyed "sports cars", clocks and watches, building furniture, making light fixtures, researching and learning, over 30 years of family trips to Nags Head and playing a "mean" game of tennis. in his daughters' eyes, there was nothing he could not do. After serving 39 years in the Virginia National Guard, Ramon retired in 1986 with the rank of Sergeant Major. He remained so busy in his retired years he often said he did not know how he had time to work". He was a truly dignified "Southern Gentleman" in every sense of the term, a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed beyond what any words can express. The family wishes to thank the staff at Lakewood for their excellent care of their dad. A celebration of Life will be held on Sept. 7th at 11 AM at Lakewood's Simms Center. A private interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com for the Bookman family. in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Bethel Baptist church for a Music Scholarship Program.