Rhonda Lou Boysen

Rhonda Lou Thomas was born on May 30, 1958, in Port Lavaca, Texas. The third of four children, she’d anxiously rush through family dinner in order to dash back outside to play. Her hard working parents had a love of travel and adventure – and taught her the importance of lending a hand to someone in need.

Rhonda met Stephen Boysen in 1975, and graduated a year later from Calhoun High School. Rhonda and Steve married in 1977 and moved to Marble Falls, Texas, before later relocating to the Houston area. The newlyweds continued painting the town, frequenting Gilly's Nightclub in Pasadena, even appearing in the John Travolta film ‘Urban Cowboy’. In 1980, Rhonda and Steve became parents with the birth of son, Steve Jr., and, two years later, the growing family welcomed daughter Ashley LaNae. The following year, Rhonda and family moved to nearby La Porte where they lived for the next thirty years.

After two decades teaching preschool at Burke Road Children’s Center, Rhonda accepted a position with Continental Airlines before joining the sales team at Macy's in 2001 where she remained employed until 2019.

In 2013, tragedy struck as the family faced the heartbreaking and unexpected loss of daughter Ashley. To be closer to their son, Steve and Rhonda made the tough decision to move from Texas to Tennessee.

Spending the next seven years enjoying their new home in Mt. Juliet, Steve was able to retire and Rhonda continued working for Macy's before taking a job at Kroger in 2019 in order to enjoy more time at home. Their years in Tennessee are best remembered for holiday celebrations, Sunday family gatherings and road trips spent with family and friends. Rhonda celebrated her 60th birthday in New York City with son Steve Jr. and son-in-law Kent. At first, she felt like a fish out of water but by the end of the trip, she was the tour guide.

Rhonda passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2020. She is survived by her husband Steve, son Steve Jr. and son-in-law Kent Parham of Nashville. She's also survived by sisters Jamie Chargois of Sulphur, Louisiana and Gloria Gaydos of Canyon Lake, Texas, sister-in-law Cheryl Mickle of Dickenson, Texas, and soul sisters Pam Allen of Houston and Debbie Fisher of Port Lavaca, Texas – as well as numerous students, nieces and nephews.

Rhonda is preceded in death by daughter Ashley, brother “Bubba” Frank Jr. and parents Frank and Cleda Thomas.