Rhonda Theresa Heald was born on May 14, 1952, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, and was raised in Gramercy, Louisiana by J.D. Alexander and Helen Alexander. She graduated from Lutcher High School in 1970 and was crowned St. James Parish Sugar Queen in 1971. She then entered Louisiana State University where she became a Golden Girl for the Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers Band also known as the band from Tigerland. Rhonda Heald then graduated from Louisiana State University in 1973. She lived in Louisiana, California, Germany, and finally settled in Texas with her two sons Nick and Jeff Heald.

After some time in Beaumont, Rhonda met Ronnie Clark who was her partner, friend, travel companion and became part of the family to her and her two sons and remains to this day. Ronnie Clark also became a great friend to Russ Heald and is to this day as well.

Prior to Rhonda getting sick she was a beautiful person. Rhonda was gregarious, athletic, loved people, socializing and historical biographies (especially her own). She was also a phenomenal cook but seemed to prefer great food in great restaurants. Her final passion was traveling and she did so around the world and the states very successfully.  

Survivors include her mother, Helen Alexander of Gramercy, Louisiana; brothers, Mark Alexander of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Ronnie Clark of Beaumont; sons, Nick Heald and Jeff Heald; and granddaughters, Hannah Heald and Alexandra Heald all of Columbus, Ohio.

The surviving members of Rhonda Heald would like to especially thank all of the people that tried to help Rhonda get better during her times of illness. A very special thanks to Belinda Patrick, her neighbor and friend who took care of her countless times when she was sick up until the end.

A family committal service will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Broussard’s Crematorium, 5150 Stivers Drive, Beaumont.

A visitation of her family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, 2014, with her memorial service to immediately follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Gramercy, Louisiana.

Lastly, all we really know and remember about Rhonda Heald is that she was beautiful and always did it her way.