Jo Ann (Ramos) Banning

JO ANN (RAMOS) BANNING

Jo Ann Banning, 72, of Battle Creek, MI passed away at home and went to be with her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, June 10, 2021.

Jo Ann was born March 23, 1949, in Lansing, MI. She was the daughter of Alfredo Ramos, Sr. and Dominga (Trevino) Ramos. She and her family moved around in the state of MI but lived most of her life in Battle Creek, MI. Jo Ann was a 1967 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School.

She married Charles B. Banning, Jr. on May 22 1971. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, two Sons - Charles B. III (Heather) Banning and Andrew J. (Megan) Banning, both of Battle Creek; four grandchildren - Andrew J. II, Kelsey, Jaslyn & Charles B. Banning IV, all of Battle Creek. She also is survived by four brothers: Alfredo (Georgie) Ramos, Jr. of Mason, MI; Jerry (Barbara) Ramos, Gene Ramos and Juan Ramos of Battle Creek, MI; five sisters: Dominga (Frederick) Conine; Olga (Alan) Peludat; Nina (LeRoy) Oliver; Cindy (Donald) Hammond all of Battle Creek, MI, Sue (Randy) Smith of Kalamazoo, MI, and Cynthia Ramos of Yuma, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents and 3 brothers Blas Antonio (Tony), Roy Ramos, and Larry Ramos. Jo Ann also leaves behind a good many nieces and nephews and some very special and close friends.

Jo Ann's civilian government career started in Apr 1965 as a Co-Op Student employee at the Battle Creek Federal Center. She was employed and retired from the Hart-Dole-Inouye Battle Creek Federal Center in 2004 with 33 1/2 years of service.

Jo Ann did a lot of volunteer work in the Battle Creek community. Her volunteer work started with her helping her father start up and provide English, reading, and writing classes for the Spanish speaking families at the original Franklin School on Bennett Street. She was an active member of the Raza Unida Organization. She volunteered as a United Way Fund Campaign & Money Raiser, as a March of Dimes Relay Competitor and Walker, Special Olympics helper and the Cancer Society Walkathon, served and helped with the Sheriff's Kitchen (Feed The Hungry) and the Salvation Army Breakfast Kitchen Group, Battle Creek Federal Center, Big Brothers, Dexter Lake Church of God Thanksgiving & Christmas Basket Programs. She managed & coached her son's Wattles Park Recreational Baseball & the Battle Creek Boys Baseball Teams, she co-managed/ coached /assisted, with her husband, their son's Little League, Farm Baseball, & Pee-Wee Reese Baseball Teams, and served as a Cub & Boy Scout Leader. Jo Ann was a long-time member of Dexter Lake Church of God and was actively involved with her church. She served as Main Sanctuary Door Greeter, was part of the Prayer Warriors Team, The Woman's Prayer Group, and the Lawn Crew. She believed that God had blessed them so much that they were blessed to be a blessing to others, regardless who they were; family member, friend, neighbor, or complete stranger. She especially loved doing things with her family and grandchildren and teaching them new things. She loved going camping with family and siblings and just having a great time. She was the game guru of the family and loved playing and teaching others new games. Family was very important and meant everything to Jo Ann, She took great pride and pleasure meeting new people and making new friends. She is truly going to be missed.

A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, June 14th at Dexter Lake Church of God 1555 East Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49014 where funeral services to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 15th, officiated by Pastor Blaine Faircloth. Interment will be held at the Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to make memorial contribution can donate to DLCOG and the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memoires of Jo Ann may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.