Ronda Terrell-Carroll

Ronda Terrell-Carroll was born on October 12, 1959, in Durham, North Carolina, to Ernest Terrell and Anna Ruth Mitchell. She was the second of seven children born to her parents. Ronda was affectionately known by many names throughout her life, including Boldie (a nickname given because she was baldheaded as a baby), Bonnie, Bone, Ma, Grandma, Halfmoon, Bolbie, Snack, Petunia (her Flower name), RonRon, and most recently, GaGa a name she especially treasured as her great-grandson lovingly and endlessly called her. Ronda was educated in the Washington, D.C. public school system and later earned her General Education Diploma. She held a variety of jobs over the years and even received training in auto repair, but her true passion was cooking. She spent years pursuing opportunities in the food industry before securing a position with the Disney Company at ESPN Zone, where she worked as a sous-chef. She was proud to lead the events team, overseeing the planning, preparation, and decoration for corporate events at “The Zone”. At one point, Ronda considered relocating to Florida to help open an ESPN Zone, but ultimately chose to remain close to her family. Her culinary skills were so well loved by staff and guests alike that her personal recipes were frequently featured on event menus, and she was often asked to write them down for future use. Her potato salad became a crowd favorite and a frequent request. In the early 1980s, Ronda met Paul Carroll. He was immediately captivated by this “Redbone” beauty. After a long pursuit and many years together in a committed partnership, they were married on July 29, 2002. Together for more than 35 years, they built a life full of love and memories. When Paul (Buddy as she affectionately called him) became ill, Ronda devoted herself to caring for her husband throughout his battle with cancer, alongside her daughters and grandchildren, until his passing in 2017. “Just Ask Ronda” was more than a phrase, it was a way of life. Ronda was the family’s fixer, the person everyone turned to because they trusted she would find a solution. If something needed to be fixed, found, made, explained, organized, paid, planned, or handled, the answer was always the same “Just ask Ronda.” She helped family members rehearse difficult conversations, navigate personal affairs, and break down complex matters into manageable steps. Ronda even created a business called LaRonda’s, named after herself and her daughter Marlana (Lana), which offered an impressive range of services often provided pro bono. At one time it even included having beautification days where you could come get your hair slayed, eyebrows arched, toes painted, amongst other things. She served as the family’s tax preparer, budget expert, organizer, listener, and trusted advisor. She refinished wood and furniture, listened to sermon preparations, role-played counseling conversations, helped others prepare for driver’s license exams (despite not driving herself), and shared wisdom that earned deep respect from everyone who knew her. She even assisted with homework and science fair projects (shhh don’t tell anyone). Ronda showed up for everyone, every time. During seasons of grief and loss, she became the steady presence her family depended on to plan, problem-solve, and ensure everything was handled with care. When her younger sister became ill, Ronda supported her through every step of the journey, including moving in to help care for her. When her brother-in-law later faced health challenges, Ronda once again stepped in, leaving her own home for 11 months to provide support. “Just Ask Ronda” meant more than competence, it meant compassion, sacrifice, and unwavering selflessness. She was always present, and her life remains a powerful example of what it looks like to love family fully and without hesitation. Ronda was a loving mother to her only child, Marlana Kelly (Daisy). They loved one another and had a closeness that some would admire. They would have special Mommy-Daughter moments where they would turn off their Life 360 and sneak away so others in the family wouldn’t find them while they made memories together. Through cooking together, shopping, the casino, or even getting a little “scratchyscratch”(playing scratch tickets) they spent time doing things they both enjoyed. Ronda loved her grandchildren (“the kiddies”), Nivea Richburg (Tulip) and James Richburg III (Man-Man). There is nothing she would not do for them. She loved them so much and no matter what the need was she was always there to provide, counsel, nurture and support her grandchildren. Ronda was deeply invested in her family and cherished intentional time together. What began as casual coffee and conversation with her mom, daughter, and baby sisters soon grew to include her brother Paul, sister Beverly, and occasionally Antoinette. From these weekly Friday gatherings, the “Coffee Club” was born: a space to share life, laughter, and connection. Roles were playfully assigned, with Ronda serving as the treasurer, managing and budgeting for their outings. The memories created during this time were so meaningful that each member kept a book dedicated to the moments they shared. Ronda’s Coffee Club Chronicles captured how simple outings became unforgettable memories, rooted in love, joy, and a bond that made everyone want to belong. On October 12, 2022, Ronda received the greatest birthday gift of her life with the birth of her great-grandson, Saint. Her only wish that year was for him to be born on her birthday, and he was. Saint became the joy of her life over the next three years. She spoiled him lovingly, treated him like a king, and cherished every moment with him. Her heartfelt wish was that Saint would always remember her and that the family would keep her memory alive for him. As a child, Ronda was raised in her grandfather’s church, Trinity Spiritual Temple, where she was baptized and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. In 2025, she joined the Rooted Formation Bible Study group, which brought her great joy. She looked forward to the exegetical breakdowns of Scripture and valued the opportunity to learn, grow, and fellowship with other believers. Ronda was diagnosed with cancer in June 2025, and the prayer and hope was that she would overcome this battle, but more importantly, God’s will be done. Ronda loved her family so much that even when she was sick in the hospital, she wanted to be strong for them. She would try her best to greet her family and try to show them she was ok (by giving them hugs and kisses). She would offer encouragement to them telling them to continue with their plans and that she would soon be home, as she never wanted them to hurt or feel pity for her. She was a strong woman who always put others first. When asked how she felt about what was happening, she replied with quiet strength, “Whatever happens will happen and we just have to deal with it.” Her strength was shown through her service, care, and consistent support for family, going so far as not wanting her family to know about her diagnosis so that they wouldn’t have to worry or be sad for her. On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Ronda succumbed to her illness. She fought the toughest battle of her life with a quiet strength no one could explain. Ronda’s legacy lives on through her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchild, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Terrell; her mother, Anna Ruth McGill; her sisters, Beverly Terrell and Sheila Terrell; her brother, Paul Terrell; and her oldest nephew, Anwar Wilson. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter, Marlana Kelly; step-daughter, Nekisha Lakins (Thomas); grandchildren, Nivea and James Richburg III, and Thomas and Joshua Lakins; her great-grandson, Saint Truesdale; her beloved maternal aunt, Sharon Bell; aunts Cecelia Steppe and Nancy Steppe; siblings Ernest Terrell, Renee Terrell, and Tammy Bailey (Brian); nieces and nephews Bianca Wilson, Sha-Shawna Moody, Tami Anderson, Felicia Terrell (Siobhan), Moriah Moody, Brian Booker Jr. (Tatiana), DeAnn Lawrence, John Williams, Jamar Williams, Symphony Terrell, and Dymetrias Terrell; great-nieces and nephews Amari Davy-Wilson, Myira Anderson, Anwar Wilson Jr., Jordan Williams, Isaiah Williams, Nye-Emah Moody, Ijahman Moody, Akhmed-Isaias Moody, Amora Moody, Wyatt Moody, Brian Booker III, and Zuri Booker; cousins Jannie and Sharon Sidney, and LaRonda Terrell; her very special cousin Ronnie Terrell (Linda); daughter Carnishia Johnson; son James Richburg Jr.; granddaughters Briyuanna Johnson, Cynuan and Imadae Boone; and a host of other family and friends.

Tributes

Ronda Terrell-Carroll

October 12, 1959 - December 17, 2025