Rhonda Lee Essary

Private family services are planned to celebrate and remember the life of Rhonda Lee Essary. Rhonda passed away at her home in Chelsea on Sunday, October 5, 2025. She was 67 years old.

Born in Decatur, Georgia on December 5, 1957, to Larry and Barbara (Summer) Holtsinger. Rhonda was the mama of three children, Mike, Christy, and Steve, but she was the mama and nana to countless other children throughout her life. It might be pointed out that Rhonda did not like being called mother; it was mom or mama. Rhonda provided for her family working in the restaurant industry until her health began to decline.

In her younger years Rhonda was a true cowgirl. She participated in barrel racing events, and some would say she preferred the company of her horses over people. She had a love of dogs and raised German shepherds. Pets were always a part of her life and her last dog and cat, Reecie and Diesel, brought her countless hours of enjoyment and entertainment.

Rhonda was her own person and although she never carried a grudge, she could cut you to the quick with her tongue. She liked Mexican food and Chile Relleno was her go to favorite. Rhonda had her own family recipe for homemade burritos and according to her family if you ever made this dish around her, you had better follow the recipe. Rhonda loved the sun and tanning, so it should come as no surprise that the beach was her favorite destination. One of her favorite beaches was Tybee Island Beach located in her birth state of Georgia.

No story about Rhonda would be complete unless you mentioned her love for her family. She had a very special bond with daughter Christy. A family joke was that she loved her animals more than she loved her kids. A lady that truly enjoyed life and could be, according to her family, the sweetest and meanest person around. But everyone knew she loved them with all her heart.

Rhonda has left a legacy that will live on in the lives of her family and friends. She is survived by her children, Mike Farmer and wife Lyndee, Christy James and husband Jesse, Steve Alsup, grandchildren, Keri Randolph and husband Quinton, Austin, Logan, and Rilynn Farmer, Jenna Alsup, Kaira Baron, Ashlyn Alsup, Johnathon Mitchell and wife Lyndsey, Kyle James and wife Trystan, JT James and wife Samantha, great grandchildren, Kaydence, KayLyne, Beckham, Bishop, Theo, Lailam, Emma, Glen, Kori, Treyton, Brantley, Maddie, and Briac, bonus children, Kathy Oakley, Travis Bilting, Victoria Collins, Joshua James and Makayla Brumbaugh. Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Barbara Holtsinger.