Rhonda Rea Riley

Rhonda Rea (nee McDougle) Riley was taken too soon by cancer on 11 February 2026, being comforted by her good friend Teri Kite and listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Staple Singers: “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Free Bird” and “I’ll Take You There”.

Rhonda was born on 27 February 1960, two days short of being a leap year baby, to Joe and Vivian McDougle in Florence Alabama. She lived in the Florence area except for summers spent in Weatherford Oklahoma, until she moved to Weatherford in 1980 to finish college. While attending Southwest Oklahoma State University, she was introduced to her future husband, Craig, by her cousins Rodney McPherson and Radonna (McPherson) Sawatsky.

Rhonda and Craig eloped and were married on 30 April 1982, the best and luckiest day of Craig’s life. After no honeymoon, they took up residence in Craig’s apartment in Oklahoma City all but broke; Craig had only been working for Southwest Bell Telephone (SWBT) five months. Two months later they moved from that apartment because their rent had been raised $25/month. The move was simple, since they still had no furniture. Rhonda completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond) in 1984.

Their union produced two children: Emily who died during childbirth on 7 June 1986 and Timothy born in Edmond Oklahoma on 18 September 1987. Emily is buried in Weatherford. Tim lives in San Antonio, after graduating from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, in a home where he and his mom spent time working on remodeling projects. Rhonda and Tim also spent many hours cooking together, experimenting with recipes until they were perfect. The time spent working and cooking with Tim brought great joy to both Rhonda and Tim.

After living in the Oklahoma City area, SWBT moved them to the Saint Louis, Missouri area in 1994. They were then moved to San Antonio in 1999 where they finally planted roots. Rhonda loved the move to San Antonio, stating that she wished to only see snow again as a visitor. San Antonio’s climate was usually perfect.

Rhonda was always searching for ways to exercise her creativity, but primarily focused on needlework, painting and design. During high school she designed a dress for a national contest and was then surprised to see the dress had been made into a pattern that the company was selling! While in Oklahoma she entered her quilts in the State Fair, one year taking two firsts and a third. Quilting became a lifelong avocation.

While living in Missouri, Rhonda used her painting skills to begin a decorative painting business. She used her talents adorning many homes and businesses with faux painting, tile work and murals. Upon moving to Texas, she concentrated on textile art and painting the interiors of her own house. <> Rhonda was always ready to help anyone work on any kind of house project. She came armed with creativity, vigor, skills and her own tools (saws, compressor, nail guns, paint brushes, ladders, or anything else needed).

Over the last ten years her needlework primarily focused on the creation of baby items such as quilts, clothing, and baby room decorations. She finally started on-line businesses selling these items so she could keep making more of them. The creativity and craftsmanship provided great joy to her many customers and herself.

The move to Texas also reintroduced Rhonda to a high school and college passion: tennis. Given the great climate of San Antonio and friend Sharon Naukam, she was able to play multiple times per week in leagues and with a number of new-found friends. Rhonda was a good player with a very strong forehand. Craig often overheard future opponents talking strategy, and someone usually got around to saying, “Please try not to hit the ball to Rhonda’s forehand!”

FRIENDS! Rhonda was a prodigious “Collector of Friends”. She was considered a great friend to all, always sharing deep empathy. She maintained friendships that began in grade school, and was always making new friends through tennis, quilting, and by “just being Rhonda”. She was a proud member of WOW, Women on Wednesday, a group of women who meet in each other’s homes every Wednesday under the guise of doing needlework. This wonderful group of women inspired her in health and provided great comfort when she became ill. “WOW” describes these women perfectly, and “friend” describes Rhonda perfectly.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Vivian McDougle; her sister, Rita (McDougle) Corlee; and her daughter, Emily. She is survived by her great loves: husband, Craig and son, Tim; brother, Bill of Weatherford Oklahoma; beloved nieces and nephews, other family, and many, many wonderful friends.

She will be greatly missed…

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Guiding Light Hospice of San Antonio or your favorite charity.

Services pending.