Rhonda Simmons Mahaffey, 69, of Cache, Oklahoma, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 16, 2024.

Rhonda was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1955, to Lawrence and Colleen (Bishop) Simmons in Lawton, Oklahoma. After Rhonda graduated from Cache High School, in 1973, she went on to earn degrees in BA Political Science / Minors: English, Home Economics, History; MAT History, MS High School Counselor and Master of Educational Leadership.

Rhonda worked at KLAW as a Copy Writer; Cameron University, Public Affairs-Administrative Assistant, and for SW Area Health Education Center.

She coordinated Chili Cookoff cooks for CASSIE Sanctioned Chili and BBQ, a member of Junior League, PTA Council (in various positions), served on the United Way Board in various positions for many years, Cameron Alumni Board in various positions, Cameron University Athletic Hall of Fame selection board, and various other community service board throughout her lifetime.

She studied Public School Education at Cameron University in Lawton and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma where she earned a Master of Ed. In School Counseling. Rhonda was an esteemed alumni and devoted supporter of Cameron University.

After graduating with a degree in Education, she started her first job in education at Eisenhower High School in Lawton as a World History teacher, transferring to Gateway Succes Center in Lawton as a guidance counselor then moving to Great Plains Technology Center in June of 2011, where she spent 13 1/2 years as a career counselor working with military veterans and their dependents in the Oklahoma Career and Technology Center in Lawton. In those 13 1/2 years she developed a strong love for the Great Plains Technology Center. The family would like to give a SPECIAL THANK YOU to Joelle Jolly of GPTC.

In 1972, Rhonda met Ken Griffitts at Cache High School. Ken and Rhonda Simmons Griffitts went on to have two children.

Later Rhonda met and married Rick D. Mahaffey on May 20, 1994.

Rhonda was predeceased in death by her father, Lawrence Simmons, mother, Katie Colleen Bishop Simmons, former husband, Ken Griffitts, brother-in-law, Paul Hill, sister-in-law, Jo Lynn Simmons, and cousin, Ramona Simmons.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, Rick Mahaffey of the home, children, Brian Griffitts, Lawton, Tara Mahaffey, Lawton, Tathena Griffitts Shaw, Lawton, siblings Rickey D. Simmons, Alaska, Susan Simmons Hill, Cache, Todd (Kate) Simmons of New Orleans, Louisiana, Larry (Rhonda) Cowan of Lawton, nephew, Chad (Janna) Pollock, Keller, Texas, aunts, Geneva Simmons, Cache and Roberta Bishop, Lawton, cousins, Gary (Deb) Simmons, Cache, Scott (Victoria) Simmons, Cache, Robert (Freda) Bishop, Lawton, Scott Bishop and Jeffie Bishop of Cache, JJ (Holly) Johnson, Lawton, along with seven grandkids, four great grands, and four great nieces and nephews.

Rhonda loved supporting all her students in whatever activity they participated in. During basketball games when the opposing team started to shoot free-throws you could hear her scream REEEEEEEEEBOUND! Rhonda was also very philanthropic.

Services will be held in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Family visitation will be 9:00-9:45 am followed by a Celebration of Life service.

Burial will follow in Cache Cemetery, Cache, Oklahoma.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Great Plains Technology Center Scholarship Foundation, Cameron University Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.