Rhonda Lynne Phillips

March 25, 1963 — Aug. 23, 2012

Rhonda Lynne (Carey) Phillips, resident of Cool, Calif., went to be with the Lord on Aug. 23, 2012. March 25, 1963, was a joyful day as Rhonda came into the world in Oakland, Calif. As a child, she developed a talent for music and learned to play the piano, piccolo and flute, and eventually taught piano lessons. She was active in her church as a member of the youth group. In high school, she was a basketball cheerleader and played soccer as a member of the school soccer team for Novato High School. After high school, she attended California Baptist College and Cal State University, Fullerton.

Rhonda worked in Vallejo during summer break to be near her family. She worked as a waitress at the infamous Palby’s Restaurant. It was at this time that she met a handsome young customer, Randy Scott Phillips, who became the love of her life (and she was his). Not able to be separated from her new love, she transferred to Sonoma State University to continue her education, where she graduated with a BS in Liberal Arts in May of 1986. Randy and Rhonda were married July 20, 1985, in Vallejo, Calif. Once married to Randy, she became step-mother to son Justin, and in August of 1988 became mother to beautiful daughter, Jessica Lynne, followed in March of 1990 by beautiful daughter, Jamie Nichole. Over the years, they established residences in Suisun, Napa and Cool in 2001.

Rhonda was a public school teacher for 22 years for kindergarten and elementary grades, most recently with the Black Oak Mine School District at Otter Creek School in Volcanoville, teaching a combined grade combination of K-2. She was very passionate about teaching and was loved by her students, fellow staff members and district administrators. She was an amazing person, she was beautiful inside and out and never spoke a bad word. When she was around you, she gave you her full attention and made you feel special. The Lord absolutely created an angel when he created Rhonda. She is now looking over us.

Surviving Rhonda are husband, Randy Phillips; son, Justin and wife Kendra with granddaughter, Penelope; daughters, Jessica, and Jamie; mother, Windy Royall and step-father, Elvin Royall; father Wayne T. Carey, married to Patty Carey, residents of Chula Vista, Calif.; sister, Deborah (Carey) Beal, married to Russell Beal, with children, Ryan, Lindsey and Jaycee; sister, Deena (Carey) Trouten, married to Christopher Trouten, with children, Christina, David, Danica, and Darla; and brother, Matthew Royall, married to Sarah Berlin. Preceding her in death were her husband’s parents, Geno and Nellie Phillips; grandparents, Laurence and Marvel Carey and Gerald and Pauline Lewis; and grandfather, Lewis Bevins.

A memorial service will be held at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road in Placerville, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. Please join us for the service and a reception immediately following. Interment will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 9 a.m., at the New Auburn Cemetery located at 1040 Collins Drive in Auburn, Calif., and is open to all who wish to attend. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Rhonda Lynne Phillips Donation Fund to support an annual student scholarship, and mail to P.O. Box 82, Cool, CA 95614.