One Monticello Life: Rhonda Brooks
October 14th, 2007 by Joe Burgess
When most people meet Rhonda Brooks, they see her as a “lady in a wheelchairâ€, but there are many things that they don’t realize about Rhonda.
Rhonda grew up in Dewitt, where she lived with her parents and two sisters.
Her hobbies include listening to music, her favorites are Christian and bluegrass.
She also enjoys computer crafts, such as making cards, boxes, and similar projects, that make other people feel appreciated.
She is also well known for making balloon animals for nurses, patients, and drive through bank tellers.Â
Rhonda graduated from Dewitt High School in 1979, attended UAM, and received her teaching degree in 1983.
Rhonda also got married in 1983.
Her husband is Sanders Brooks, who grew up just east of Hamburg, and was also at UAM.
Rhonda taught kindergarten for the Hamburg School District, Portland Campus, from 1983-2000.
During this time, Sanders was pastor at Parkway Baptist Church (Lake Village)Â and New Hope Baptist Church (Eudora).
Life so many times changes.
Rhonda is in the wheelchair because of complications from juvenile diabetes, a broken leg, and knee deterioration. She also had a kidney transplant in 1998.
So many people would have given up, but not Rhonda.
When her husband became pastor of Northside Baptist Church, in 2004, Sanders and Rhonda moved back to Monticello.
Rhonda may be in a wheelchair, but she still is able to teach her Northside Baptist Church Sunday School elementary class and serve on the youth committee.
Between the many trips to out of town doctors, Rhonda spends a lot of time with the Northside Baptist Sr. adults, and goes out with the Wednesday night missions group to visit the Guest House residents, and other shut-in elderly members, and feed 11 stray cats.
At other times during the month you may see her spending time at the Other Way; visiting patients as a hospice volunteer; or maybe even hear of her visiting patients at a clinic or hospitals, that need a “pep talk†to gain encouragement to help deal with life’s struggles.
Rhonda may be a “lady in a wheelchairâ€, but she certainly doesn’t live a “wheelchair lifeâ€.
Thanks, Rhonda for sharing your ONE MONTICELLO LIFE with us!
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What a great story about an amazing lady. Rhonda is an inspiration to all who know her. She always has a smile on her face and a new joke to tell. I feel blessed to call her my friend. Thanks Joe for giving Rhonda some much deserved attention!
Rhonda is my sister. I am so blessed to be related to this remarkable lady. She is an inspiration to me. She always makes me laugh. Thank you for featuring her in your publication. She always says God made her this way to inspire others and she bears this disability with honor if that is her purpose in life.
I love her very much and again, she is my hero.
This is a wonderful article about this lady. I have not met Rhonda in person. But I know lots about her through her sister Denise that I work with.
Rhonda is really funny and always full of laughter. She is a perfect example of someone that doesn’t let like issues keep them down.
I hope that she will continue her work in the church and with others. That is a wonderful gift.
Geraldean Hayden
Mrs.Rhonda is the nicest lady I know. On our birthday she gives us money, on christmas she gives us little trinkets and makes cupcakes and cakes on random occasions. She visits the old people home on wednesday and just takes time to talk to them. Even though she is only our preachers wife I call her Aunt Rhonda. She is the nicest person I know.
Rhonda is truly an inspiration to us. She always carries a smile to encourage others. The gang at Hospice Homecare appreciates all the volunteer time you give us. We are encouraged by your strength.
Rhonda is such a wonderful person,who can not help but like her.Not only is seh an insperation to all who know her,but she always wants to brighten someones day.She has been a freind to my children as well as my wife and I.If we all had just alittle bit of her spirit in us ,I think we would not be so full of self pity.She never lets anything get her down.
Love you