Rondie's niece Adrienne shared these thoughts of the uncle she loved and admired.

"Uncle Rondie was an unforgettable man who was very kind! He loved his family, his people and his culture.

He was a proud man with strong spiritual beliefs and enjoyed the beauty of nature. He will be forever missed!"

Fatima, the mother of Rondie's grandson Zephaniah wrote this loving note:

"Rondie, I am glad to have known you and sad that God has taken you away. You'll never like the smell of roses, but I'll never forget the smell of you. You will be missed sincerely. Grandson, Josiah, and I love you and hope to get you back in another physical dimensional form. Love, Fatima"

Rondie's cousin Pookie remembers when he lived with them after he came home from the army.  They worked together in San Bruno, California where they filed people taxes. 

Some of Pookie's fondest memories was hanging out with Rondie and the fun they shared growing up together.  

As  Rondie and Pookie got older they spent a lot of time talking about the Lord. Pookie recalls that Rondie spoke of the Most High all the time. He would read the Scriptures to make a point when they would have these discussions. 

Pookie wrote, "My cousin will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him. My prayers and condolences to the family. I love you dearly."

Rondie and Ricky

Ronide and his Uncle Ricky Simms were more like brothers seeing they were only eight or nine months apart. When they were kids they would spend time together every other day, if not everyday.

Ricky and Rondie, often with Rondie's brother Reginald spent a lot of time at Hunters Point, in San Francisco, at the Bay. They loved to catch tadpoles.

Rondie loved all kinds of animals. At one time or another, he even had an alligator, snakes and sea monkeys. He also owned his share of dogs, cats and birds.

Ricky and Rondie often found themselves in trouble for things like going skinny dipping in the Bay and the usual mischief that boys got into.

Ricky recalled that Rondie loved art. He was a great artist who loved to draw. He like to draw some of the characters from his favorite Marvel Comics which he and Ricky collected by the box-full.

Rondie and Ricky liked riding their bikes up and down the hills where they lived. Rondie loved to skat. He was really into roller-blading for awhile. The two of them also liked to go to the gym.

According to Ricky, they called Rondie, "The Skeletor" because he was so thin. It doesn't seem Rondie minded, because he had a good sense of humor. He was fun  loving and very outgoing. 

Rondie spent a lot of time with his family, When they were young the young guys had a sort of boys club, according to Ricky. 

Rondie and Reginald

Reginal Carr, Rondie's younger brother, shared some of his memories of his beloved brother.

One of Reginald's fondest memories is of the times he and Rondie played together as kids. He especially cherished the memories of times when he and  also the times when the two of them would go down to the Bay in Hunter's Point to catch tadpoles, frogs and lizards.

Rondie loved living creatures of all kinds. Reginald recalled when Rondie would cook for them. Rondie was a very good cook, and obviously he started learning his skill at a young age. 

Another fond memory of Reginald's is when Rondie would take him and their younger sister Gina downtown to the movies. They all had a close relationship and enjoyed spending time together.

These memories Reginald will always cherish along with the memories of his loving big brother.

Memory is one of many gifts that God has given us. Memories are a way to have those that are now sleeping in Christ still with us in a way.
When a loved one dies we remember cherished times we've spent with them and characteristics about that person: an expression, their laughter or smile and many other things. These memories help us to keep our sleeping loved one close.

I thank God for the memories that I have of Rondie that make me laugh and makes me consider things. I will always remember and thank God for him.

Yes, Rondie will be forever remembered. His smile, his friendliness and joyfulness.
 I too, thank God for bringing him into our family.