Betty Jean Robbins Ramos

Betty Jean Ramos, 76, of Hanford passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 after a long struggle with heart and respiratory disease.

Betty was born October 17, 1935, to Harry and Mary Eugenia Robbins of Lindsay, OK. When she was eight years old the family moved to Corcoran, where Betty spent her childhood and attended school.

She moved to Hanford as an adult, working for Lemmon Brothers auto dealership and at the Coffee Cup restaurant. Her first marriage, to Joe Mays, brought two daughters, Jennifer and Shelley, into their lives. She married Alfred Ramos on Aug. 28, 1955, and then added daughter Kimberly to the family. Betty also helped raise Al’s daughter from his first marriage, Toni, who eventually came to live with them.

When the girls were small, Betty worked nights at the Kings Drive-In snack bar while attending Federico Beauty College in Visalia. Her daughters share happy memories of warm summer evenings enjoying movies at the drive-in under Al’s watchful eye, while they waited for Betty to finish her shift.

In 1961, her cosmetology certificate complete, Betty purchased The Flamingo Beauty Salon in Little’s Corner at Ivy and Irwin streets. She was owner/operator of the salon for nearly 20 years, building a loyal client base and lifelong friendships. But the salon eventually took a toll on her health, so she launched herself on a new career path.

She obtained her real estate license in 1979 and worked as a Realtor throughout Kings County for more than three decades. She was employed with Century 21 West Valley Properties, Rose Realty, and most recently with Realty World Sweeney Anderson. She earned numerous awards for sales volume during her career and was named Realtor of the Year by the Kings County Board of Realtors. She served a term as president of KCBOR, and also held other positions on the board over the years.

Betty is survived by two brothers, Leroy “Rob” Robbins of Washington and Ted Robbins of Texas; her daughters, Jennifer Estrada, Shelley Cruz, Kim Ramos and Toni Barnett; grandchildren Renae Freeman, Nicole Barrious, Jeffrey Smith, Lino Cruz and Shelby Swanson; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and an extended family of “in-laws and out-laws” with whom she remained close over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, and by three siblings.

A graveside service will be held at 11 am Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Grangeville Cemetery, 10428 14th Avenue, Armona, with a celebration of life luncheon to follow at the Irwin Street Inn, 522 N. Irwin, Hanford. The family is working to purchase a memorial bench to be placed near the pond at Hidden Valley Park, where her grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved to feed the ducks. Those who wish to contribute to this tribute may contact a family member at 559- 584-8524 or [email protected].

Please visit www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com to view Betty’s legacy and send condolences to the family.

Services are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel.

PEOPLE’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

501 N. Douty Street

Hanford, CA 93230 * 559-584-5591

www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com