Rhonda Lee Short, 99, passed away on April 17, 2019. She was born on May 13, 1919 in Mangum, OK to Charles and Nola Francis. After high school, she attended OSU where she received her degree in Education. She later went to OU and obtained a Master’s degree in Counseling. Mangum was a small town, and she fell in love with a local boy, John Short. They were married on November 2, 1941.
Rhonda's husband, John, was drafted during WWII and she traveled with him while he was in training until he was deployed. During the war, she taught school in various locations, worked for the Transit Authority in San Antonio Texas, and worked at Tinker Air Force base in Midwest City building C-47's. After the war, they settled in Midwest City to raise a family. She began teaching in the Midwest City Public Schools, and taught into her 70’s. Kids would naturally gravitate toward Rhonda; many of her former students still remember her teachings. In the 60’s, she and her family resided in England, as her husband was employed and stationed there by the Air Force. She taught at the elementary school on Base. After retiring, she worked at Rose State College part-time during enrollment.
Rhonda liked making clothes, playing golf, quilting, painting and gardening. She was a member of the Japonica Garden Club. After retirement, she and her husband spent many years in south Texas as "Snow Birds" enjoying friends while living in their travel trailer. Rhonda was a very special person, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; and sister, Jo Johnson.
She is survived by her children, John Short and Sylvia Johnson (husband Donnie); grandchildren, Megan Lowe, Marcia Eagan, Misty Gamewell, Summer Woolverton, and Christopher Short; 11 great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.
Funeral services for Rhonda will be at 10am Wednesday, April 24th at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home in Del City, OK. Burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum, OK.
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