Rhonda Doyle

Born in Stilwell, Ok on March 27, 1957, Rhonda was raised by her grandparents, Raymond and Margie Gamble along with her siblings Vicky, Raymond and Ralph with fond memories of the house at the ‘Y’ in Stilwell. Rhonda first came to know Jesus as she attended church with her family at the First Christian Church. She graduated high school and went on to get her bachelor’s degree at NSU. She loved teaching and all of her many students loved her. Her very successful career included teaching at Cave Springs, Chewey Christian Academy, and many years of service at Stilwell High School and Tahlequah Sequoyah High School. She had a passion for teaching for almost 40 years. You may know Rhonda Doyle as a teacher, friend, or family member, but we are all here to celebrate the life of the woman who has impacted so many of us. She was strong in her Faith and spoke freely about her Savior and God. Many have spoke of everything from her smile to her brownies and she was well known for both. Rhonda will not be easily forgotten. The memories that we have made with her will not be quick to fade. When we whisper our prayers, let us remember the God she served never failed her and even when cancer and pneumonia took over, Jesus was still in control.

Rhonda met Ernest Doyle in high school. In 1978 they were married at the ages of 22 and 21. In 1980 their oldest son Brian was born. Eighteen months later, Andrea joined their family. In her early twenties, Rhonda fully surrendered her life to Jesus at the little United Pentecostal Church just outside of Stillwell. As the result of her Christian witness, her two children and her husband were born again. Later, they felt the Spirit lead them to attend Chewey Church\Soul’s Harbor, where they enjoyed the discipleship of Brother Gary and Sister Linda Hampton, who also served many years in the Doyle’s home church. She treasured her Faith and shared it with others in both her actions and words in her nearly 40 years of educating, in which she taught high school science. Rhonda was extremely dedicated to her opportunity to touch the lives of students and was even a Fellowship of Christian Students sponsor many times. Even when arthritis came into her shoulder and she was told it required surgery, she said: ‘I hope they can do it in summer break so I can go back to teaching.’ Whenever we shared company with her, someone would often come up and say: ‘Hello Mrs. Doyle!’ She was well loved and remembered by her friends, neighbors, and students. Rhonda loved to cook, teach, and read. The hired hands and farm boys on E&R Farms, the ranch on which she and her family lived, always looked forward to her meals with anticipation.

Heartbreak entered in 2003 when their beloved daughter Andrea died in a horrific car accident at the hands of a drunk driver. The loss was never forgotten, and the difficult pain took many years to heal. The entire family cherishes their memories of Andrea. Through this brokenness a Divine Opportunity arose to speak into young people and DUI offender’s hearts, as Rhonda and many of the family members worked with Victims Impact Panel to share their tragic experiences and warn of the dangers of insobriety while driving.

Rhonda continued to teach despite her declining health until cancer forced her to finish unexpectedly. Her spirit saw the Lord on June 23, 2021 at the age of 64 in Christie, OK. She was ready to go Home and see her Heavenly Father. Her last days were spent surrounded by family and friends giving support. She was covered with prayers and love. With her last breath, she told her family she loved them and prayed with them. It is never to late to praise King Jesus. Rhonda went Home, but one day we will see her again.

Is survived by her husband Ernest Doyle of the home, son Brian and wife Angela, granddaughters Reese and Abigail Doyle of Pryor, Ok. Sister Vicky Townes and husband Bill of Tahlequah, Ok. Brother Ralph and wife Teresa Keen of Stilwell, Ok.

Preceded in death by her parents Bill and JoAnne Montgomery, grandparents Raymond and Margie Gamble, brother Raymond, infant sister Sena Diann, daughter Andrea Doyle.