Ronda Rae Duckworth, 66, passed away on February 3rd, peacefully in her sleep, at home in Kingsville, MO.
Ronda was born on February 25, 1958, to Ronald and Sheila Mills in Topeka, KS. Growing up in an Air Force family, she lived in many places around the world, including South Carolina and Spain. She spent most of her youth, and cherished her time most, in Japan, where she competed in the school gymnastics program, was a cheerleader, was homecoming royalty, and made lifelong friends. In high school, she moved with her family to Lee’s Summit, MO, where she graduated in 1976.
Growing up, Ronda was the family clown and instigator, especially loving to torment her younger sister, Edie. She and her three sisters had a close bond and that continued throughout their lives. After high school, she lived almost 30 years in her home on Falk Drive, where she spent many days visiting with her neighbors, especially the Oberhelman family. While she held various jobs, including working in medical records for Lee’s Summit Hospital, Ronda dedicated most of her time to raising and supporting her three children, Mandy, Meranda, and Jake.
In 2007, she met Bill and fell quickly in love. They married that fall and spent the following 16+ years in Lone Jack and Kingsville. They shared a loving life together, and she was always supported and well cared for.
Ronda loved watching her kids and grandkids participate in all of their activities and sports. A lifelong Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan, later in life she especially enjoyed watching her “adopted” son, Patrick Mahomes. She could tell the best stories and never hesitated to tell the truth. A phenomenal cook, Ronda loved hosting and making large dinners for her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and recently became a great-grandma for the first time. Her joy was in her family, and she will be greatly missed.
Ronda is preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Sheila Mills, and her sister, Edie West. She is survived by her loving husband, William Duckworth, her three children, Mandy Kelley (Ryan), Meranda Johnston, and Jake Johnston, her two granddaughters, Victoria Kelley-Chiarelli (Evan), and Averie Teetor, her great-granddaughter, Eleanor Chiarelli, her two sisters, Sharon Paulson (Donald), and Karen Sims, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 15 at Cross Creek Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/) to honor Ronda’s memory.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Robbie Sosa
7 Feb 2025Such a beautiful story for a beautiful soul. So many fond memories from my youth when all of us kids were running around playing together. Her smile and laughter still saturates those memories along with her love and strong hugs. I’ll miss her greatly and am happy she is free from her earthly chains as she runs and jumps into the arms of our Lord.
Pat Scott
8 Feb 2025I worked with Ronda at Lee’s Summit Hospital for years, especially close when we worked in Radiology. We laughed everyday, Ronda was a hoot! I still laugh at some of the stuff, but cannot put it in print. God bless her and God bless her husband and all her family and friends
Michelle Cox
11 Feb 2025Sharon and Karen, Rhonda is so blessed to hav 💖 her loving sisters by her side, our angel now has wings, always loved, never forgotten!!
Tracy Thellman
14 Feb 2025I worked with Ronda in Radiology at Lee’s Summit Hospital. Between her and Pat Scott my sides hurt from laughing so much on a daily basis. She loved to talk about her kids and at the time she had one granddaughter. Her eyes would light up. She loved them deeply. Blessings to her family and friends. I know she will be greatly missed.
Tracy Thellman
15 Feb 2025I worked with Ronda in Radiology at Lee’s Summit Hospital. Her humor and wit made me laugh on a daily basis, especially when her and Pat were on a roll. Her love for her family was undeniable. I remember when she first met her now husband, Bill. She was beaming. My deepest sympathies for her family and friends.