Rhonda Sue Willoughby

Rhonda Sue Willoughby affectionately known as Suzy, a loving, faithful, devoted, and crowned Daughter, Mother, Sister, Aunt and Friend departed this earthly life peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, January 20, 2022.  Rhonda’s love for magnifying the name of Jesus was felt by many, through prayer, testimony, and worship. Rhonda was born January 21, 1965, to Leon Brown and Carol Allen.  She was the sixth of eight children.

Rhonda received her elementary education at Frank Rushton Elementary School in Kansas City, KS, and graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts & Science in Kansas City, KS.  Rhonda also attended The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS and Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, MO, where she obtained an Associates of Arts, Natural Science Degree.  Rhonda had strong work ethics that were quickly recognized and acknowledged in her recent promotion at Smithfield Foods (Laboratory Compliance Supervisor).  She also utilized her learned skills while working at Farmland Industries (Chemical Technician).

At 11yrs. old, she professed her love for Christ and joined Greystone Heights Missionary Baptist Church.  She was a trusted steward in the church and loved singing in the choir.  She later joined Love Fellowship under the direction of Pastor Gus Franklin, who was a strong, loving, and supportive father figure in her life.  She committed to learning and understanding the bible and was always eager to share scriptures and testimony with others to help them get through something or see their way clear.  She had an undeniable love for FAMILY. Her biological family and her church family.  Rhonda enjoyed family time, snuggling with the babies, cooking family dinners, singing, watching movies as a family and hosting birthday parties for the kids. Rhonda was united with Arnell Willoughby in 1989 and in February 1990, was blessed with her son, Demetrius Willoughby.  In 2001, she welcomed her second child, Kennedy Hoy.  She had a passion for interior decorating and event planning, but two of the greatest joys of her life were her two children.  Nothing but her love for God could ever come before Demetrius and Kennedy.  Her children gave her so much joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her Father, Leon Brown, Paternal Grandmother, Gertrude Brown and Maternal Grandmother, Jennie Martin. To cherish her loving memories, she leaves her loving mother, Carol Allen (Kansas City, KS); two children, Demetrius Willoughby (Kansas City, MO) and Kennedy Hoy (Kansas City, KS); six sisters, Carla Martin (Temple Hill, MD), Carol Hamilton (Raytown, MO), Linda Hamilton (Kansas City, KS), Rochelle Robinson (St. Louis, MO), Bonnie Hamilton (Ft. Worth, TX), and Cherita Brown (Kansas City, MO); three brothers, Ronald Hamilton (Little Falls, MN), Roy Hamilton (Kansas City, MO) and Leon Brown (Kansas City, MO) and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.