Rhonda Lee Hilliard, 47, of Albertville, passed away at UAB Hospital in Birmingham on Sunday, September 30, 2018.
She grew up in New Hope and lived her adult life in Albertville, New Hope and Orange Beach. Rhonda graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama Huntsville, receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology. She taught classes at Snead State Community College for a while and performed volunteer work with the Real Life Pregnancy Center.
She eagerly participated in studies to help control cystic fibrosis. Rhonda had a loving heart and though she lived with cystic fibrosis that required endless treatment and therapy she remained positive. Her smile was one that lit up the room. Despite numerous trips to UAB Adult Center for treatments, she never complained. Her life was an inspiration to all who knew her. Rhonda loved God and her family. She was a member of Beulah Baptist church and grounded in her faith. When she became too ill to attend church she continued her Bible studies. She always gave thanks to God at family get-togethers for being so good to her and her loved ones. Traditionally, she gave the pre-meal prayer and enjoyed hosting those get-togethers as spending time with family was a priority.
Rhonda’s love for life was evident in her travels which ranged as far west and north as Washington and Alaska along with those to the east and south including Niagara Falls while also venturing beyond U.S. borders to Mexico and Europe. She enjoyed all God’s creations, seeing not only the beauty in people, but in nature and animals.
Rhonda loved and cared for her cats and dogs, among whom were her special fur babies: Chigger, Charlie and Chase. She especially enjoyed taking them with her on her travels when possible. Rhonda also was an aspiring writer and worked on being published.
Her funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Beulah Baptist Church with Bro. Tony Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Baptist Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. before the service.
Rhonda is survived by her husband Steve Howton, parents, Shelby and James “Buddy” Hilliard, of Albertville; brother John Hilliard, of New Hope, along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Adams Brown Service Funeral Home is directing. Flowers or donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are welcome.
