Rhonda Denise Drake

Rhonda Denise Drake née Haydel passed into the next life on July 9, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in New Orleans, LA, to Honoré Haydel and Joyce Simms. Rhonda spent her childhood in uptown New Orleans, where she gained a love for people. She later studied education at the Xavier University of Louisiana, where she met her beloved late husband, Leonard Drake. From there, the couple moved to Muncie Indiana where she graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Education. 

Rhonda was a loyal member of Memorial Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana, and the Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas. 

Rhonda spent 30+ years in education teaching primary school to adult education. She spent the last 14 years teaching and growing the youth of the Bosse High School Community. There she was able to live out her love of the performing arts as the school’s dance coach. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Drake, and her father, Honoré Haydel. 

 Early on, Rhonda discovered a love of dance and there was nothing small about her passion. She was a cheerleader and a member of the dance team throughout school. She was also recognized in numerous publications detailing Who's Who among America's High School Students for academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and community service.

Rhonda will be remembered fondly by her son, Jared; daughter, Enjoli; and granddaughter, Kennedy. She also leaves behind her beloved mother, Joyce Simms; brother, Ray Haydel; sister-in-law, Trudy Haydel; nephews, Sean, Ray, and Jonathan; and niece Chanel.

To know Rhonda was to love her unconditionally. She was a vibrant woman with a tenacious belly laugh and a spunky personality. She was a friend, sister, and mother to all she encountered. We will cherish the lessons of love, joy, and compassion she displayed to us all.