SEYMOUR
Ramona Ruth Seibert, 81, of Seymour, died from complications of pancreatic cancer on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at Lutheran Community Home surrounded by family.
Born Nov. 10, 1935, in Perry County, she was the daughter of Raymond and Mildred Burton Seibert, both of whom preceded her in death.
She grew up in Cannelton and attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico, earning a degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology. She retired in 2001 with more than 44 years teaching public school — primarily first and second grade in the city of Tucson, Arizona, where she lived.
She volunteered for more than 40 years with the NAACP receiving a service award at the October 2015 Tucson Branch NAACP Freedom Fund dinner.
She impacted the lives of hundreds of children as an educator in Tucson for Sunnyside Unified School District No. 12. She knew the impact of education, the importance of literacy and believed in the power of public education. After retiring, she returned to Los Ranchitos Elementary, where she taught students the Stranger Danger program. She also tutored students as a volunteer for more than 10 years post-retirement, focusing her efforts to help new English language learners learn to read.
She lived a life dedicated to advocating for social justice and impacting the lives of children. She loved teaching literacy and always honored the inquisitive nature of a child’s mind.
She will be missed by her brother, Paul (Elaine) Seibert of Tell City.
Other survivors include her nieces, Leanne (Jeremy) Wheeler and Catherine “Kate” (Wes) DuBois; nephew, Raymond (Julie) Seibert; great-nieces, Analise Seibert, Emilie Seibert, Allison Wheeler and Lillian Wheeler; and great-nephews, L. Zachary DuBois and Xavier DuBois.
A true educator to the end, she donated her body to the Indiana University School of Anatomy to continue her mission of teaching and learning.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be in Derby Perry County and Tucson on a date to be determined.
Memorials may be made to the NAACP Tucson Branch (Attn: Doris Snowden, President, P.O. Box 50894, Tucson, AZ 85703) or to Jackson County United Way at Box 94, Seymour, IN 47274.