Rhonda Elaine Davis

In September of 1953, Rhonda Elaine Davis was born to Howard Lorenzo Davis and Daisy Lee Campbell in Jefferson County, Alabama. The second of two children, her formative years were spent in France during a time when the country was still a participating member of NATO and her father was stationed there.

A precocious child, she learned the language of her family’s host country and often served as an interpreter for her landlady and service members that lived in the homes she let to them. Afterward, her family moved to Japan and lived there for some time, her older sister graduating from high school during that period.

It was in Japan that Rhonda first discovered Godzilla and other Kaiju, or Daikaiju, and giant robots of post-war Japanese cinema. This was probably the seed that flourished into a life-long love of dinosaurs, Science Fiction, and Fantasy stories. This love of Science Fiction had its zenith crowned with a deep and abiding love of the future vision that is known as Star Trek, as it was originally broadcast from 1966 to 1969. Star Trek was more than a passion, it showed a world where a young black woman could be a leader and excel on equal terms.

After her life in Japan, Rhonda found herself in San Antonio, Texas. There she Graduated from Judson High School with honours in 1971. Proving that Academia was her calling, she graduated from Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos after three years with a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in History, with a minor in Anthropology.

After substitute teaching and continuing her classes just for the joy of learning, Rhonda gained her teaching certificate with lifetime endorsements to teach both English and History. In the fullness of time, Rhonda became a teacher of English at her Alma Mater, Judson High School.

Rhonda’s love of fantasy and science fiction continued to grow and she enjoyed many early works of fiction in the genre as embodied by titles such as Doc Savage and Conan the Barbarian. This also included films she loved, such as the Planet of the Apes series as well as films such as Colossus, the Forbin Project.

Of her teaching only her students can attest. If the letters they wrote to her lauding her as a teacher who cared about her students and who actually listened to them and treated them as a person worthy of her attention are to be given credence, then she was among the best. She taught generations at Judson High School, often teaching the children and grandchildren of former students. She was sharp, set a high bar, and a force to be reckoned with, yet also had empathy and compassion that was uncommon. She maintained that she should have written a memoir of her time as a Teacher of English and Theory of Knowledge classes. Its title? “Miss, Do I Have to Throw Bubba Down the Stairs Again?” (The answer was an emphatic “no,” of course). Whether her students were troubled or had it well, she treated them with deference and commanded their respect. With her they knew that their lives, joys, troubles, and experiences mattered. Instead of dreading her classes, many students found they enjoyed them with her as their teacher.

Earning the respect of her peers, Ms. Davis became the President of her local Delta Kappa Gamma International Sorority Chapter in mid 1990s. She served that role with both dedication and distinction.

In her time as a teacher she also travelled the world, witnessing the calving of icebergs from glaciers in Alaska and visiting Australia for an extended stay as a guest teacher.

It was her kidneys that eventually failed her. Rhonda suffered total renal failure by the mid 2010s and her health concerns forced her retirement in 2014. Her condition eventually required that she receive dialysis three days a week, and concentrate on the power of positive thinking to maintain her health. If you have wondered why she may have seemed less outgoing after her forced retirement, it may have been that she focused on staying alive and well, attending weekly appointments for over 10 years. Perhaps she wanted most of us to remember her as she was when she was at her peak.

Rhonda Elaine Davis passed away on the morning of Monday, September 28th 2026, aged 73 years, while in hospice care, her birthday having just passed on the 5th of September.

There are many Rhonda counted as true friends in her life: JoAnn Vollbrecht, Kathy Marbach, Kathy Krnavek, Carol McHugh, Andy and Debra Schandera, Terri Jo Gough, Faye Tatum, and the author, Chris Barta, among them. If your name is not listed here the fault lies entirely with the author, who extends his sincerest apologies for any omissions or errors.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her mother, Daisy Davis (née Campbell), her father Howard Lorenzo Davis, and her sister Sharon Smith (née Davis).

Of my friend, I can only say this: “Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, hers was the most…human.”

Rhonda was a believer in God. As such, this alteration of a traditional prayer is offered for those of you who share in her faith.

Our Mother, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen

If you would like to celebrate Rhonda by donating to a cause that helps schools and students, please consider making a donation to Communities in Schools of San Antonio. CISSA’s mission is to “surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.” You can find a donation link online at: www.cissa.org.