Sergeant First Class Rhonda Lyn Henson's Obituary
Rhonda Lyn Henson, on March 15, 2018, at the age of 47, Rhonda passed away at Michael DeBakey VA Hospital in Houston with family at her side. She was born in Tomball, Texas, on July 12, 1970, and spent her early years in North Houston until 1977 when the family moved to a farm in Eddy, Texas. Rhonda considered Eddy as her hometown and graduated from Bruceville-Eddy High School. Rhonda was a good student and active in many school activities including being in the Flag Corp, a Twirler, Band Member, and a 4-H Member.
At 17, in her senior year of high school during a military recruitment campaign, she enlisted in the Army National Guard with her father signing his consent due to her age. She enjoyed her time in the National Guard and later went Active Duty in the Army. Her specialized field was Administration and Human Resources; traveling as a trainer for military records maintenance, a military liaison, and a Captain of the Honor Guard and Color Guard. She earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, and National Defense Service Medal. Rhonda’s military career took her from Camp Mabry in Austin to the Army Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia, the Pentagon, and later to Washington, D.C. She retired in 2014 with more than 25 years in military service. Pride in her career was second only to her first pride in daughter Chelsea.
After retiring from the Army, Rhonda spent numerous hours volunteering in the local community. She was known for her love of family, fun, and generosity; she always wanted to help people. Her family meant the most to Rhonda, she adored her granddaughter Kialeigh.
She is survived by her daughter Chelsea Lyn Henson-Martiz, granddaughter Kialeigh Lyn Henson-Oteyza, and son Nathaniel Oteyza; parents Littleroy and Margaret Henson; sister Mary Farley and her children Colby, Jonathon Tyler and Kayla Farley; and sister Teresa Stevens and husband Larry Rogers and her sons Caleb, Joshua, Jacob, and Gabriel Luke Stevens. Brother, Bobby Donahoo and wife Kim and their sons Peyton and Hayden. Rhonda is preceded in death by her sister Leasa Bartley. Leasa’s children are Harley-D, Mariah, and Sabrina Brubaker and Jessica and Jeremy Bartley.
Rhonda is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins, too numerous to be mentioned, and too many friends to count. All miss her.
What’s your fondest memory of Sergeant First Class Rhonda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sergeant First Class Rhonda?
Share a story where Sergeant First Class Rhonda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sergeant First Class Rhonda you’ll never forget.
How did Sergeant First Class Rhonda make you smile?