Rhonda (Bright) McDaniel

Chris and I went to Madisonville High School with Rhonda.  I didn't know Rhonda as well as Chris did.  Mostly I remember she was a beautiful, full of life girl who seemed feisty and fun!  It was shocking when Rhonda was diagnosed with colon cancer several years ago.  She was so young at the time.  After a long, hard fight she won the first round. 

Rhonda had some good cancer-free years afterward but sadly the disease came back with a vengeance.  Rhonda is home with her sister Sheila, who, along with Hospice care for her. 

Rhonda is bedridden, paralyzed from the waist down, on the strongest of pain medication and very weak.  Although she is tough as nails and has the strongest will to live most have ever seen, she was given only two months to live.  Being on disability has helped Rhonda with medical bills and expenses but she has no life insurance.  The funeral home where arrangements have already been made was generous with the planning.  However, the bill is still $5,000 requiring a $3,000 down payment.


Can you imagine the stress of knowing your death is imminent, you have four children aged 17, 15, 8, and 6 which you are saying good bye too and leaving behind all the while trying to explain life and death to them and dealing with the same issues for yourself, AND trying to find a way to pay to bury yourself????  I cannot imagine, no.  I believe it would be hard enough not to be preoccupied with worry about my children's economic future and care.  But then add the pain and fear Rhonda must be experiencing along with trying not to be a financial burden at the end of her life.

Several people have come up with ways the community can contribute and help get burial expenses taken care of.  Donations can be made at Mason's Furniture in Madisonville (423-442-2940). December 20th on the Epray Online Auction which can be found on Facebook by searching EPray Online Auction for Rhonda Bright McDaniel.  All proceeds will go to Serenity Funeral Home in Etowah, TN.  Or you may contact the funeral home directly concerning donations for funeral expenses at 423-263-6700.

A benefit BBQ dinner and bake sale was held at Donna's Old Town Café in Madisonville on December 10th and cleared $1,837.51!!

Loving friends who worked hard at the BBQ benefit

at Donna's Old Town Café.  LeAnne McDaniel not in photo.

Please remember Rhonda and her family in your prayers.  And please do not forget to continue to pray for her four children and their caretakers in the years to come.  Those will not be easy years.

Chris and I at the BBQ benefit.

*Thank you Karen for the information and writing in the blog post!