Rhoda Jane Swanner Montgomery

The Reverend Dr. Rhoda Jane Swanner Montgomery, age 53, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, College Station, Texas, died October 25, 2015, at home surrounded by her devoted and loving husband Rob along with family and friends, following an incredibly courageous battle with cancer. Rhoda leaves an indelible mark on all who had the fortune to know her – Rhoda's humor, wit, thoughtfulness, love of one and all, and remarkable gift of expressing God's love for each of us will be sorely missed but most fondly remembered.

Rhoda was born August 27, 1962 in Washington, DC to Joseph and Regina Brooks Swanner, now Regina Brooks Peevey. At the age of three the family moved to Brownwood, Texas, where her father worked with the LBJ administration. After graduating Valedictorian from Brownwood High School, Rhoda attended Baylor University, where she graduated in 1984 with a BS in Political Science. Rhoda earned her Masters of Divinity in 2001 from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. In Rhoda's continuing love and quest of learning, she earned her Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Chicago in 2009.

Following graduation from Baylor she moved to Austin, Texas, where she lived most of her adult life. Rhoda first went to work for various state and national legislators. After leaving the political arena, she worked for Dr. Jim Sharp and the Children's Cancer Center of Austin, where she was a tireless advocate and support system for children and their families fighting cancer. Rhoda was a HUGE influence on Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. In 1988, she began her tenure as a Relief House Manager, and in 1989 she took on the role of Resident House Manager where she lived and worked for RMHC CTX until 2000, joining Director Judy Avery who became her great friend. Rhoda and Judy were a dynamic duo that along with a very supportive Board of Directors elevated the House to unprecedented heights over her twelve years at RMHC. It was under Rhoda's guidance and leadership that the Healing Hearts program began, which is now one of the three Core Programs of Ronald McDonald House Charites Global, and because of her generous heart, countless families have been helped with burial assistance, counseling and the memory garden.

Rhoda's legacy will forever live on at RMHC CTX. The day after her passing, a Happy Wheels Cart was launched at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in College Station. This cart is sponsored by St. Thomas Episcopal Church in honor of Rhoda Montgomery and will carry on her legacy of caring for sick children and their families.

Rhoda's wit and humor, and unwavering love and support for others, always brought light to others. As her chemo nurse David said, "Even in her hardest times when she really was feeling bad, she brought a sparkle to my life and everyone around her", and to paraphrase a teenage parishioner's letter to Rhoda, "What is important is that you were always an unimaginably positive influence on me, from the start. I was not introduced to the church by you, but you gave me a place in it."

In 1992, she married David Anthony, whose family she remained friends with throughout her life. Following this short marriage, Rhoda entered The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, where she graduated in 2001 with her Masters of Divinity. In 2002 she was ordained to the Priesthood and married the love of her life Robert H. Montgomery, III. She then served for the next several years at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd as Deacon, Assistant Rector, Associate Rector, as well as Locum Tenens. In 2006, Rhoda began pursuit of her Doctorate and graduated from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Chicago with her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching. While studying for her Doctorate she made many lifelong clergy friends from many denominations both in the United States and Canada.

In 2008 she accepted the call to be Canon for Christian Formation at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas. In 2010, she accepted the call to become Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in College Station, where she served until her death. During her tenure she established many programs including The Wine Bar Bible Study, Wild Wonderful Wednesdays, church tutoring programs in College Station schools, Ecumenical Study Groups and numerous outreach projects too many to mention. Under her watch the church experienced tremendous growth and retired a $1.3 million debt.

Rhoda won numerous awards for her tireless efforts to help everyone, including the "Brian Cox Spirit of Caring Award" from the Austin Interfaith Care Alliance in 2006. She also was a recipient of the Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas "Heart and Soul Award" in 2015.

Rhoda served on numerous community and Diocese of Texas committees and boards, including the Interfaith Care Alliance in Austin and the Board of Directors for the Mercy Project in College Station as well as the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Council of the Brazos Valley. She also served on the Executive Board, Nominations Committee, Resolutions Committee of her diocese, and was also a Facilitator for the Diocesan Intern Program, affectionately known as "Curate Camp".

Rhoda and Rob would like to especially thank the staff at CapRock ER in College Station, Texas, especially Drs. Craft, Wilson, Young and Roden, as well as nurses and staff Paula, Lacey, Mandy, Jordan, Liz, Nicole and Morgan and the rest of the staff for all of their loving care, support and dedication to helping Rhoda during her battle. We also want to thank Methodist Hospital of Houston, especially Dr. Kirk Heyne, his assistant Daysha Rideau, Radiologist Dr. Adrian Wong, and the Outpatient Infusion Center staff including David Raven, Rozzie Horton, Johnnie Williams, and Ola Doureseau, and Main 8NW nursing staff for all of their care, love, attention and efforts to save Rhoda. Brazos Valley Hospice especially Hannah, Davina and Karen for all their love and care. A Big Heartfelt Thank You, for which words cannot express, to the loving and caring St. Thomas Episcopal Church Community, whose unending love and support in every way possible made Rhoda's journey home possible as well as all our family and friends. We are forever grateful.

She was predeceased by her step-father Arthur Peevey. She is survived by her beloved husband Robert H. Montgomery, III, her father Joe Swanner and wife Doris, her mother Regina Brooks Peevey, sister Risa Pajeska and husband Frank, brother Joe Swanner and wife Darla, mother-in-law Anne A. Montgomery, sister-in-law Mimi Smith and husband Allen. Rhoda is also survived by nieces Victoria Pajeska, Hallie Smith and Elizabeth Smith, Christina Swanner, Rebecca Swanner, and nephew Cyril Pajeska, and several Godchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday November 6, 2015 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church located at 906 George Bush Dr. in College Station, Texas with a reception immediately following the service.

On Saturday November 7, 2015, there will be an 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church located at 3201 Windsor with a reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Rhoda's name to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church College Station Endowment Fund, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas c/o Brazos Valley, or the Camp Allen Scholarship Fund.