Ramona Jean Brown

Ramona Jean Brown, 70, of Fort Smith, AR, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

She was born on Dec. 18, 1955, in Fort Smith, the daughter of Elizabeth and Marvin Brown. She grew up in Dora, AR; Indianapolis, IN; and Van Buren, AR, but lived most of her life in Fort Smith.

Ramona, lovingly referred to as Mona by her family, was Elizabeth and Marvin's second child. They raised six children together.

Mona was a source of love and light for her family.

She was calm, gentle, and sweet. She embraced people with a warm heart and an open mind. She was a true Christian - always loving, always giving, always nurturing - and her grace and goodness of heart never stopped shining. Her natural ability to love so sweetly and give so generously made her a treasured member of her family and a friend to many.

Whether you were her family or her friend, you could always count on Mona to be by your side, supporting and caring for you.

Mona had a true love for people, and she poured that love into her passion for cooking. She loved to cook for her family, and the delicious meals and confections she made so expertly matched the warmth of her heart and the sweetness of her soul.

Cooking was more than a passion for Mona; it was also her profession. She worked as a cook in the Sparks Medical Center kitchen, making good, nourishing food for countless patients, medical staff, and patient family members. She worked for nearly 30 years at Sparks and rose to the position of Kitchen Supervisor.

In 1992, Mona realized her dream of becoming a mother. She loved her daughter Elizabeth Jane endlessly, and she always strived to give her daughter friendship and happiness.

Family was the center of Mona's heart. She devotedly cared for her father and mother, and she loved and comforted them at the time of their passing. She was a best friend to her sisters and a motherly presence to their children. And she regarded her closest friends from Sparks' kitchen as family. Mona gave love and friendship without hesitation.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. before the service. Viewing will be on Tuesday afternoon until 5pm. There will be a graveside service after the funeral at Forest Park Cemetery, weather permitting.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to make donations to the Arkansas Children's Foundation, online donations - Arkansas Children's Foundation, https://support.archildrens.org/give/280202/#!/donation/checkout.

Mona is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Jane Routledge of Fort Smith; a sister, Valerie Zeiler of Fort Smith; a brother, Carey Baldwin of Sherwood; two granddaughters, Evelyn and Lily; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Brown; her mother, Elizabeth Brown; and three sisters, Maria Langford, Pamela Raache and LaSheila Bishop.

Mona was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing, all brought together by the love she gave so endlessly.

She ascended into the Lord's light, and her light will never cease to shine in the heart of every person she loved.