Born in Mansfield Tamara “Tammi” Jo Ragusa, 47, passed from this world on Thursday. Aug. 23, 2007. She was preceded in death by her mother, Darlene Dobbs Calvin, on June 3, 2001, and her sister, Terrie Calvin Carey, on Dec. 22, 2004.
Tammi was born to Tony and Darlene Calvin on Feb. 5, 1960, in Mansfield. She was lovingly greeted with open arms by two older ‘sissies’, and a host of great grandparents, grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was in fact named after great-grandpa Joe Calvin, her daddy’s grandpa.
One of Tammi’s legacies above all will be her love of animals. Tammi was a sucker for any stray or abandoned dog or cat, and always managed to shower these pets with the love and care they so desperately needed.
Growing up, Tammi was very active at the Longview YMCA, played cornet in the school band, and was a member of Rainbow Girls through the Grandview Chapter of Eastern Star.
Tammi had many skills and talents, including sewing and decorating. She was also a fabulous cook and shared her gifts bountifully with her family. She was also a certified nail technician, and later in life earned her certification as an EMT.
In September 1977, Tammi married Chuck Ragusa, and they were blessed with a beautiful baby daughter they named Elizabeth Darlene, after both of her grandmothers. Throughout her adult life, Tammi continued to strive and grow, and her accomplishments were many.
Tammi is survived by her daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Mike Riley, and two grandchildren, Caleb and Caitlyn, Lee’s Summit; her father, Tony Calvin, Osceola; a sister, Toni Calvin Edwards, Belton; her brother and his wife, Clay and Sheryl Calvin, Kansas City. She also leaves behind countless loving cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service was held at 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26 at Sheldon Funeral Home in Osceola. Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Monday morning, Aug. 27, at Denney Cemetery in Ava, where Tammi will rest close to her mom and sister. The family requests memorial donations in lieu of flowers to Beth Riley, 707 SW New Orleans Ct., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.
Tammi was the niece of Don Dobbs and Sandy Dobbs Chambers, both of Ava.
