Rhonda West

Rhonda West

Our Rhonda - It is with the saddest and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Rhonda West. She was our center. A wife. A mother. A sister. An Auntie. A friend. A savior to so many. Her family was her life. Her animals, everything to her. She grew up in the Ojai Valley participating in 4-H, and continued as an adult, guiding her own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and numerous adopted kids through year after year of competitions. Every year, she moved her life to the Ventura County Fair Grounds and spent two weeks camping out, supporting her crew of kids through their numerous endeavors. She was an integral part of Ojai Valley's ETI Corral 57, serving as Show Chair for many years, making sure horse shows were conducted and awards ordered and given out. Rhonda was committed to her position, dedicated in her heart in a way only people who knew her could understand.

She loved her horses, her dogs, her pigs… all her animals… almost as much as she loved her husband and children. If someone had an injured animal, Rhonda was often the first person they called. She doctored many of man's best friends back to health; served as surrogate mother to abandoned and homeless piglets, kittens, puppies, and ponies. We all loved Rhonda, so much, and will miss her forever. She had the biggest heart, always helping those in need who didn't have anyone else they could turn to. Her smile was contagious. Her blue-green eyes twinkling with humor that was oftentimes a little ornery. She could be serious when she had to be, funny when you least expected it, but she was always there. Always our center. Now she's gone and we are lost without her.

Rhonda was born the youngest daughter of Ernie and Peggy Thornsberry, in Ridgecrest, CA, September 17, 1967. She passed away in Branson, Missouri, November 27, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Charlotte Leon and Pamela Trueblood, and numerous relatives and friends she loved with all her heart. She is survived by her husband of Thirty-five years, Randy West; her daughter, Jessie West (Partner, Curtis); her son, Randy West (Partner, Sierra); her grandchildren, Dean, Tyler, Payton, Hailey and Gracie; her sisters, Phyllis Desamito (husband, Chris), Laquita Wilkie, Dana Andrews (husband, Norman), Jan Wilcox (husband, Lee), Wanda Sumner, and April Maxwell; Aunt, Nathasha Montiel;. Nieces and nephews from her side of the family: Michael Sumner, Bryan Kearney, David Thornsberry, Michelle Cole, Robert Guillen, Marcus Guillen, Samuel, Crystal, Amber, Nichole, Zach, DeeAnn, David, Christina, Mike, Crystal, Billy, Jimmy and all of their children. Her extended West family: Gerta, Marsha, Johnny, Joey and their families, and dear friends, Elaine, Italo, Sally, and Christine.

A memorial will be planned when Covid-19 allows for all to come.