In Memory Ronda Flowers(1948 - 2018)
- Name
- Ronda Flowers
- Children
- Charity
- Birth Date
- July 16, 1948
- Blessing Date
- July 1, 1982
- Ascension Date
- March 20, 2018
Ronda Flowers was born July 16, 1948, in Greensboro, NC, to Aiden and Jeanetta French. She graduated from Smith High School in 1966 and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1970. A yearning to see the world led Ronda to become a stewardess with Delta Air Lines, primarily flying out of Miami and Chicago. Two years later, a college friend living at a San Francisco Bay Area Unification Church community invited Ronda for a visit. In the fall of 1972, Ronda found such inspiration from the people she there met, and insight into a life of faith in God, that she soon after resigned from the airline and moved to Northern California.
By 1974, Ronda’s parents had become concerned about the radical change in her life. They enlisted a deprogrammer to dissuade Ronda from her association with the Unification Movement. On the pretext of taking Ronda out to dinner, Ronda was abducted. She was held against her will for several days in the Los Angeles area. She escaped from the motel, and after making her way to the airport she succeeded in returning to Northern California.
In May of 1979, Ronda was matched with William (Bill) Flowers by True Parents at a ceremony in New York City with over 4000 participants. Ronda and Bill were among the 2075 couples Blessed in marriage on July 1, 1982 at Madison Square Garden. Ronda, much to her relief, was able to reconcile with her family at that time. In 1987, Ronda gave birth to her beloved daughter, Charity. While living in New York in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Ronda worked at the HSA Headquarters building on 43rd Street.
In 1994, Ronda, Bill, and Charity moved from New York to Arizona to be closer to Bill’s parents. Ronda worked for many years in the restaurant and hospitality fields until retiring in 2001, after her first diagnosis of cancer.
Ronda cherished the friendships that she formed. She always sought to exemplify the teachings of her faith, to live for the sake of others. Ronda’s victorious passing, like her life, was an inspiration to those close to her. Even when she knew she was about to transition, Ronda encouraged those around her. The sense is that Ronda is continuing to care for people—she has just begun a new journey which will enable her to reunite with family, like her father Aiden and friends. She will surely find many new friends along the way. She is survived by her devoted husband Bill and daughter Charity in Arizona, her loving mother Jeanetta, sisters Nelda, Susan, and Abbie, and several nieces and nephews in North Carolina.
Ronda Flowers, 69, transitioned peacefully to the spiritual world on March 20, 2018 at a hospice facility in North Phoenix. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, declared cancer-free in 2002, yet had to restart her treatment in 2009. She remained ever active in the community during her treatment.
The Seonghwa Ceremony will be on Saturday, March 31 at 2:00 PM at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Those who wish to do so may send flowers to the mortuary prior to the Seonghwa Ceremony; cards and other correspondence may be sent to Ronda Flowers, 1144 West Laird Street, Tempe, AZ 85281.
- Time
- 2:00 PM
- Date
- Saturday, March 31
Mark Anderson
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We will greatly miss our dear sister. She is a sweet soul and it is a comfort to know we will all be together again.
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William Connery
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Bill and I were together at UTS. I know that his precious wife Ronda has gone to a good place. Please pray and take care!
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Tyler Hendricks
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Ronda was a bright and loving spirit at 43rd Street HQ. Now I remember, yes! Ronda had a southern accent! She had / has that gracious gentility and deep inner strength inside of it. Looking forward to seeing you and hoping you’ll buzz us all into the Kingdom, Ronda!
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David Miller
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I remember Ronda’s beautiful spirit while living at 43rd Street in the 1980’s. May she find joy and peace in her eternal home with our Heavenly Parent!
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John Hitchler
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Rhonda, I don’t know if we ever crossed paths, but reading your bio above lets me feel like I do know you. God Bless You my sister, The battle to righteously preform every day on this plane of existence is now behind you. Now you face a new life. Have a good journey Rhonda, I feel like I shall be joining you sometime soon. Many many Blessings to you and God’s Blessings to Bill and family. aju
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Cindy Pfeiffer
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Ronda and I worked together in 2004 in Korea as we were mobilized to Suncheon City to do minister and community outreach work. She had already been through cancer then, her body was not yet strong enough, but she pushed herself nevertheless with gratitude to be able to offer herself. People liked to be with her! She was calm and encouraging even though the schedule was not easy. We even dressed in traditional Korean hanbock clothing when speaking at city gatherings, and the Korean people felt very drawn to Ronda’s beauty and kindness. They hugged her and said she was a wonderful western woman!
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Jo Ann Crooks
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There will be a big hole in our Arizona community without Ronda’s constant presence, always helping, always guiding. Her smile was a constant at every event we had. She always had a hand in planning, running, or supporting all Church and Women’s Federation for World Peace events. May our prayers help to guide her to the Divine Principle realm where I am sure she will continue to serve God’s Providence until the Kingdom of heaven comes in heaven and on earth.
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Marius Henry
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My Eyes have seen the ultimate Glory of Lord since 1/13/2001, may Ronda see this Gravity of Greater Grace ,for no one can separate US from the final expression of direct Revelation 22:1 Truth about Agape love of God
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Leslie Rigney
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Ronda was a dear friend. She quietly lived a life of attendance, in spite of many challenges, also developing an incredible heart of love for her family with a special needs child. Through all her challenges, she expressed positivity as well as being a realist. Her humor cut thru much of the Han that came along the way. Bill was much appreciated as a quiet, loving and devoted husband and father. May their family always be united and may Ronda’s love and example be always with us. I love you, Ronda!
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Don Sardella
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I remember Ronda’s voice and presence, from the first time I met her, as one of love and grace. When our family was relocating to Arizona from New York City in 1997, she sent us letters in advance, to welcome us with warm hospitality and positive anticipation. A privilege for our family to know her to the little degree that we did. Prayers for Bill and Charity and their extended family. For us, Ronda was clearly a gift from God.
Wishing for her and her family, blessings, blessings, blessings, as they all continue their spiritual journeys…
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Denneze Nelson
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My deepest condolences to Bill and his family. When I was in Arizona, Rhonda hosted me so graciously together with other sisters and driving us around even while she was sick. Such a beautiful, loving spirit she shared with us. I wish that she would ascend to a high and beautiful place in the bosom of heavenly parent.
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Linda Shapiro-Zochol
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Rhonda,
May you rest in peace as you enter your next eternal life. 🌹🌹🌹🌺🌺🌺🌼🌼🌼
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Emilio G Mandel
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I am sorry for using a foreign language, but that’s the language my heart like to use.
Ronda es una de las hermanas más adorables que he conocido. La Iglesia de Unificación es una fuente inagotable de hermanos maravillosos. Entre ellos Ronda es dueña de esos corazones que reflejan el infinito y amoroso amor de Dios. Siempre ahí, con su sonrisa, su actitud positiva, su amor incondicional, su disposición a consolar a quien lo necesite.
Nuestra familia te amará siempre Ronda. Ahora empezaste un viaje que te alejará de nosotros por un tiempo. Pero pronto volveremos a juntarnos.
Todo nuestro amor a Bill y Charity, quienes deben ser los que sientan el mayor vacío por tu ausencia. Que nuestro Padre Celestial esté consolándolos junto a toda la familia de la AESUCM de Arizona y América.
Gracias por tu amor Ronda.
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