Ramona "Mona" Betty McFarlane Larkin was born May 7, 1959 in South Bronx, New York to the late Mary and James Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Dolores, Edward, Norma, and Samuel; granddaughter, Niya; and sisters-in-law, Rosa, Linda, Mary, and Lucy.

Ramona was her father's only child and as a dotting daddy's girl, she loved to hear her father early in the mornings chant in his Native American language. From kindergarten to the 5 ^th grade she attended PS23 in the Bronx before moving to Jamaica Queens, New York where she went to PS45 until 6th grade. Queens is where Mona grew up side by side with her sister Norma's children, Linette, Anthony, Dorothy, and Judy. Though they were her nieces and nephew, they had more of a sibling's relationship and friendship. Mona then attended Junior High School 115 and later went on and graduated from John Bowne High School. After high school, Mona married Rogelio McFarlane in 1980 and out of that union had two daughters, Mary McFarlane and Angela McFarlane-Sanders. After separating from her husband, she met Owen and had a son, Romel Thomas. In 1987, Mona met the love of her life her husband, Alfonso Larkin and with that union of 34 years had five children, Alfonso Jr., Larry, Chris, Brian and Alissa Larkin.

Mona had many jobs throughout her life but only one that she enjoyed the most which was being a mother and grandmother. She loved to play cards, board games, and make up games and songs with her children since they were little that could be passed down and labeled as the Mona's tradition and is still played to this day. She loved hosting gatherings with her husband Alfonso, listening to music, watching movies of all genres, sharing stories and passing time with her children, attending to her grandchildren, gardening, and shopping.

Mona lived in many states and traveled from coast to coast, but finally made a home with her husband Alfonso and children in Philadelphia, PA and later years in Walkertown NC. Mona always had a strong and determined spirit. She beat breast cancer twice and three strokes. She had an enlarged heart which despite every best effort, succumbed to her heart failing at the age of 62.

Mona leaves her cherished memories of life and love for her devoted husband, Alfonso Larkin; sister-in-law, Loretta; brothers-in-law, Flen, Rayford, and Reginald; children, Mary, Angie, Alfonso, Jr., Larry, Chris, Brian, Alissa, and Mya; son-in-law, Michael and her children's significant others; grandchildren, Breya, Tyree, Nasir, Ayana, Zoey, Paige, Kyrie, and Chrissy; a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and many friends and neighbors who called her "Ms. Mona" or "Mom" because she always had an open ear, kind spirit, plate to share with whoever came knocking, her door and arms were always open.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home. Private services Thursday, August 5, 2021. Interment will follow in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.