Rhonda Lee Asher Cariker started her life’s journey on September 20, 1960 in Cody, Wyoming. Her parents William & Winifred Asher were blessed to have her join their family. After her father’s untimely death, a move to El Paso made her a proud Texan. Her mother met & married Floyd Strother and her brother Bill was added to her life four years later.
Rhonda’s educational path led her to attending El Paso schools and graduating from Eastwood High School with the class of 1978 and International Business College in 1980. Rhonda was an excellent flutist in her beloved Eastwood High School band. Since 1976 she loved singing in the musical performances at Cielo Vista Church and performing in the El Paso Christmas Pageant at the church for 24 years.
A key scripture which inspired her life was, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This path led her to teach high school science at Northeast Christian Academy for 10 years. She was an attendance clerk for Marion Manor Elementary for 9 years and a teacher assistant in special education at Bel Air High School for 7 years. Lastly, for 8 years she stepped into an administrative assistant role at AVX Technology. Her life verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, led her and Rod to minister to singles at Cielo Vista Church for 25 years.
Family left to cherish her memory are her husband of almost 40 years, Rod Cariker, of El Paso; brother Bill Strother and his wife Sue and nephews, Justin and Kyle Strother, of Alamogordo, NM; mother-in-law Joy Cariker and sister-in-law Donna Cariker of Carthage, TX; daughter Irene Haight & husband Todd and granddaughter Jocelyn of Milford, CT. Preceding her in death are her father William Asher, mother Winifred Asher-Juen, step-father Floyd Strother, and father-in-law Johnny Cariker.
Rhonda’s journey ended after a 4-year battle with breast cancer on January 20, 2021 at home in El Paso.
Services for Rhonda Cariker are under the direction of Martin Funeral Home-East with the memorial at Cielo Vista church. Visitation will be held Tuesday January 26, at Martin Funeral Home East from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Memorial services are scheduled for Wednesday January 27, at 11:00am at Cielo Vista Church. Graveside services will be held under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home at Long Branch, TX on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made in Rhonda’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
