Rhonda Clark

Rhonda, sometimes known as “Booley,” was born August 22, 1958, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to J.D. and Dorothy Annette Reeves. When she got home from the hospital, she already had a built-in best friend, her big sister, Wanda. A few years later, two baby sisters, Sondra (Sandy) and LeAnn, were born, making her a big sister. Even though she loved her baby sisters, the birth of Sandy and LeAnn also marked the beginning of one of Rhonda’s favorite, self-claimed syndromes, her “Middle Child” syndrome. She was very proud of it.

J.D., Dorothy, Rhonda and her three sisters grew up surrounded by the beaches of south Mississippi and cold, cold creeks. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family friends would get together for picnics and overnight camping on the creeks. Rhonda often talked about loving the family-centric childhood and growing up out in the country.

From an early age, Rhonda had a big love for music and the arts. She spent hours listening to the radio, playing records and even learning to play a few instruments. She played “a little piano, a little guitar,” and clarinet in the school band. That love of music – Queen, The Beatles, the Jackson 5, Pink Floyd and Billy Joel - was passed down to all the kids, and their kids and grandkids.

During her junior and senior years, Rhonda served as Drum Major at East Central High School, which she always held as one of her proudest accomplishments. In the fall of 1975 at an East Central football game, Rhonda met Danny Clark. After a few dates and a handful of months later, the two were married in December of 75.

By the time she was 21, Rhonda was married with three children, Joshua, Justin and Adrienne, each one 14 months younger than the one before. With Danny working as a full-time restaurant manager, Rhonda was a full-time mom and the glue that held the family together.

The Clarks moved a lot in the mid-80s - Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Texas again, south Mississippi again and finally, Alabama. No matter how many times they relocated, Rhonda made friends easily and always made sure wherever they lived, it felt like home.

She also made sure the kids had a knowledge of the arts, as well as unique experiences whenever possible. Movies, music, plays, the ballet, sporting events and many other random adventures were always taking place. All that, in addition to the ballet lessons, little league, school functions and such she was coordinating for the three kids.

Despite her best efforts, none of the children learned piano, or guitar. She also made several attempts to expose the family to fun, homemade meals, assuming she didn’t “close the kitchen” at 2 p.m. because she was, “still full from breakfast.”

After more than a dozen years of marriage, Danny and Rhonda divorced and she eventually ended up moving to Bossier City, which was where J.D., Dorothy, Sandy and LeAnn lived. Rhonda held many jobs in her lifetime and excelled them all. She was a teaches aide and ran the Computer Reading lab at SunCity Elementary in Bossier Parish School District for several years. She was a dealer and floor manager at Horseshoe Casino. She spent 20 years at Republic Cabinets where she worked in bookkeeping and Accounts Receiving.

For several years, she made a life in Waskom, loving the small town atmosphere and the fact she was so close to the family. In 2004, she found love again and married Greg Smith.

In the early 2000s after losing both her mother and father, Rhonda’s primary job shifted from being “Mom” to being “Granny Ron.”

In addition to boiled peanuts, Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond Ice Cream, homemade brownies with extra Hershey Bars melted throughout and chocolate chip muffins, there were few things in this life she loved more than being “Granny Ron.”

Much like she did with her kids, “Granny Ron” shared her love of the arts with the grandkids. In fact, any child, grandchild or great grandchild who spent any time with her at all was sure to be treated to a rendition of “Senior Don Gato.” If you were lucky you also got “Little Bunny Foo Foo.”

Around 5 years ago, Rhonda was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cirrhosis Nash. The doctors gave her between 9 and 14 months to live. Through a lot of love, determination, help from Wanda and Johnny, and, another of her favorite things, the thrill of proving someone wrong, she more than tripled that prognosis.

She lived long enough to see one grandson graduate with a master’s degree, another complete his high school courses at the age of 16, and see the birth of four great-grandchildren.

She will be missed by every person who knew her.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Dorothy Reeves, sister Sandra Dyson and husband Greg Smith.

She is survived by her sisters, Wanda (Johnny) Bush, LeAnn (Mark) Dinkel, and brother-in-law Michael Dyson, children Joshua Clark (Kari Garrison) of Branson, Mo., Justin Clark of Dallas, Texas, and Adrienne Clark of Shreveport, La. Grandchildren include Hailey (Jonathan) Mize, Garon Clark, William Clark, Maggie Clark, Mailyah Clark, Amari Luna, Lily Clark and Elijah Conde. Great grandchildren Cooper and Carson Mize, Saidie Kay Howard and Aubriella Evangeline Luna, as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel, 601 US-80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.