Mrs. Rhonda Ingram

Mrs. Rhonda Lynne Rather Ingram was born May 10, 1954 and departed this life on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:05 am.

Rhonda was the second oldest child of the late Earl Melvin Rather and Thelma Oliver Rather. She was baptized at an early age and joined Union Baptist Church in Crewe, VA. In 1972, she graduated from Nottoway High School.  As a high school student, she enjoyed home economics and making her own clothes.  After graduation, she worked in the Engineering Department at Southside Electric Corporation (SEC) in Crewe, VA as a secretary for approximately a year.  On June 30, 1973, she married her high school sweetheart, Howard Ingram.

She remained in Crewe, Va until she was able to join him, 6 months later, at his duty station at Marine Base Kaneohe in Oahu, Hawaii. During her time in Hawaii, she was employed as a secretary in the Officer Club Office. In 1977, they returned to Crewe, VA after Howard was honorably discharged from the Marines and she returned to work at SEC. In 1980, they welcomed their only child, Tenicia Denise Ingram. She and Tenicia lived in the Burkeville, Va until joining Howard in Hampton, VA , in 1982, after he had graduated from Old Dominion University and began working at Newport News Shipbuilding. A few years after moving to Hampton, Rhonda returned to school at Thomas Nelson Community College, where she graduated with honors with her Associate’s Degree. She went on to attend Old Dominion University, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1988. She became a Certified Public Accountant in 1989 and remained licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia until her death.

She started her professional career in accounting at Bank of America in Norfolk, VA. She worked there for several years until entering K-12 education at Hampton City Public Schools in their budget and finance department. She worked in Hampton for 10 years until she was hired by Newport News Public Schools as their Budget Supervisor.  After 8 years, she went to Norfolk Public Schools. While in Norfolk, she worked in various positions to include Budget Analyst, Budget Supervisor and Budget Department Manager. In 2018, she was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and worked in that position until her retirement in 2020. She loved being an accountant--keeping books for her household, where we affectionately called her “The Banker,” managing the finances for her daughter’s business, Divine Inspirations, LLC, and doing taxes for family and friends.

Years after moving to Hampton, VA, the family joined Shalom Baptist Church in Newport News, Va. During her time at Shalom, she enjoyed working with the youth, serving as a Sunday School teacher and youth Praise Dance Leader. Her love for praise dancing did not stop with the youth, she was a founding member of the Golden Praise Dance Ministry. She also enjoyed singing and was a member of the choir. She also served as a Deaconess for over 30 years.

She and her husband were blessed to be the Godparents of Marcus Rather, Isaiah Eure, Jamie Borden, Tjura Chatman, Kelise Borden and Kaymiyah Chatman. In 2024, she and her husband were blessed to be asked by Tenicia’s best friend, Heather, to be Honorary Grandparents to her son, Hunter Samir Jones. She loved Hunter and would call him every weekend. She would also travel to Maryland to help with Hunter whenever his parents asked.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Howard Ingram; her daughter, Tenicia Ingram; her mother, Thelma Rather; her older sister, Carolyn Stokes (Robert); her brother, Melvin Rather, Sr. (Regina); younger sister, Adrienne Boothe (Angus); her grandson, Hunter Samir Jones; her sister-in-love, Martha ‘Savannah’ Ingram; a special Aunt who was like a sister, Lorraine ‘Nita’ Rather; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

It is the Ingram family's desire that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  

The family of Mrs. Rhonda Ingram  has entrusted her final care to C.C. Carter Funeral Home.  

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