Ramona Esther Colon

July 18, 1958 – June 13, 2016

Ramona Esther Colon was born to the proud parents of Joseph & Ramona Colon on July 18, 1958. Ramona was called Esther during her childhood life. Esther was the oldest of 7 sisters. Esther attended St. Paul's Catholic school in New York and graduated from 8th grade and continued her education at St. Aquinas All Girls High School in Bronx, NY, where she graduated from 12th grade.
Esther was very athletic, being a point guard for the basketball team and a shortstop in baseball. She also loved to play handball. She was also very talented, as she was into ballet, flamenco, plena and African dance. She was also a Majorette Instructor.

In 1976 she enlisted in the Armed Forces in the Army Branch, this is where she met and married Perry Allen Sims in Copenhagen, Germany. She completed her four-year tour and moved to Milwaukee, which she made her new home. Here in Milwaukee is where she was known simply as Mona. In 1981 she had her first son Raymond Joseph Colon and in 1983 she had her second son Vincent Sean Sims. She was a proud mother of her two boys. In 1998 Esther became the legal guardian of her nephew Eric Colon, which she took in as her 3rd son. She also became the best step-mother to Perry Washington. In 2000 she became an Abuela, (grandmother) to her 1st grandson Raymond Joseph Colon, in 2003 her second grandson Malakai Willingham in 2014 her family was complete when she became Abuela to her little girl Avielle Samone Diament-Sims. She was the best Abuela they could ask for.

Ramona was a full-time mother and re-enlisted into the Army Reserves from 1988 – 1992 and received her Certificate of Achievement.

Ramona began her career with Milwaukee County in April of 1992 as a Correctional Officer and served with honor, working in areas that included Huber and Electronic Surveillance, before finishing her service as the officer in charge of DNA collection. She retired with merit in March of 2014, after completing almost 22 years with Milwaukee County.

Ramona was preceded by her father Joseph Colon, her mother Ramona Colon, and sisters Josephine M. Morales and Shirley Colon. Her former husband Perry Allen Sims, father-in-love Raymond Joseph Sims, sister-in-love Shannon Sims and God-son E. Walter Sims.

Ramona leaves behind her loving sons, Raymond, and Vincent, sisters; Sandy, Margo, Sheila, and Nita; grandchildren, Raymond Joseph, Malakai and Avielle Samone; her nephew/son, Eric Colon; her three nieces Jennifer-Lynn, Mercedes, and Nyla. Her three nephews, Steffen Keith, Marc Scott and Marquis Raseph. Her stepson Perry and daughter-in-love Denise; her great-nieces, Faith-Shirley, Avyion, Wynta, Madison-Gabrielle, Eric Joseph, Arielle, and Summa Skie'. Perry Jr, and Donavan, Mother-In-Love Leilani Sims, Brothers-In-love, Ricky and Terry, Nieces-In-Love, Tootie (Tiwana) and Hannah Sims, Nephews-In-Love; Bray and Kenny Sims. Great nephew-in-love, Jameer Raymond, and great niece-in-love Samantha Alyse.

During her time in Milwaukee, Ramona adopted her brother, Will "Smitty" Smith into her family and Momma Joan. She also acquired her Spanish family who includes Lula, Rosita, Sam, Eddie, DeCarlos and Mia.

During the last two years of her life in Milwaukee, Crystal M. Sims, her Sister-In-Love became her caretaker/best friend/sister. Crystal loved herself some Mona!

Visitation on Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 12:00 PM – 3:45 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin with service to follow at 4:00 PM.