Rhonda Charnes Martin

Rhonda Charnes Martin, 49, of Memphis, TN, entered peacefully into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born January 13,1977 to Ronnie and Madolyn Charnes, Rhonda embraced life enthusiastically with her faith, kindness, and an insatiable love of learning. She found joy in her family and friends, in traveling,and in studying history, a lifelong passion that inspired both her personal adventures and professional career.

Rhonda was committed to living her life according to God’s will. She found great peace in her strong Catholic faith at St. Michael Catholic Church while also building a loving and prayerful community at Renewal Church. Rhonda loved the Lord with all her heart and found strength, comfort, and joy in her relationship with Him.

Rhonda was an accomplished educator who dedicated her life to sharing her love of history with generations of students. She attended Harding Academy of Memphis for high school, the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in History, and Christian Brothers University where she earned a Master of Education. Additionally, she completed all the coursework toward her doctoral degree in History, always saying she would one day return to complete her dissertation. Throughout her career, she taught in Legacy Memphis City Schools as well as at St. George’s Independent School and Margolin Hebrew Academy/Yeshiva of the South before concluding her teaching career at Houston High School in Germantown, TN.

Rhonda believed that learning was a lifelong pursuit. Her fascination with history—especially British history—extended far beyond the classroom, inspiring her travels and enriching the lives of everyone who knew her. She approached the world with curiosity and wonder, always eager to discover something new and to share that knowledge with others. Rhonda never stopped being a scholar at heart, believing that the pursuit of knowledge was one of life’s greatest joys. In addition to her love of all things British, especially British television, she loved Wisconsin and the Green Bay Packers. She loved to share the fact that she attended Brett Favre’s last home game which was also the second coldest game on record at the time at Lambeau Field. Rhonda was an avid reader, and a long-time member of a book club. She loved her four cats who all have very distinct personalities and will miss her dearly.

Above all else, Rhonda treasured her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend whose warmth, intelligence, and love enriched the lives of all who knew her. Whether traveling, walking along a beach, or gathering around a table with those she loved, she found joy in shared experiences and made everyone around her feel welcomed and valued. She cherished the friendships she formed at Harding Academy, especially with close friends Cristy Perry Sneed and Carrye Sowell Holland.

Rhonda is survived by her beloved husband, Frank; her cherished children, Madeleine (Maddie) Grace and Benjamin;her parents, Ronnie and Madolyn Charnes; her brother, Jason Charnes, and his wife, Shannon; her nephews, Beckett and Jaden; niece, Lennon; her mother-in-law, Joyce Martin; bonus daughter Lilly Redeker and countless extended family members, colleagues, former students, and dear friends who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 18, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 3863 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN, with a reception and Celebration of Life immediately following at a The Atrium at Overton Square, 2105 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN. Rhonda will be interred at Elmwood Cemetery on Friday, June 19 at 11:30am. If attending the committal service for Rhonda, please arrive at Family Funeral Care at 10:30am on Friday, June 19 for the processional.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) in honor of Rhonda’s courageous journey or to Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.

Rhonda’s faith, compassion, intellect, and love for history, travel, family, and friendship leave an enduring imprint on all who were blessed to know her. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, curiosity, kindness, and love—a life that taught those around her that learning, adventure, and devotion to God and family are gifts to be embraced wholeheartedly. She lived fully, loved deeply, and her family is comforted knowing she now rests in the eternal presence of the Lord she faithfully served.