Ronda Thomas Lessmeister, 75, of Rock Hill, died peacefully in her sleep on May 28, 2026. Ronda was born on November 19, 1950. She was a lifelong resident of Rock Hill, and a member of the 1969 graduating class of Rock Hill High School before attending Winthrop College. Ronda spent most of her life as a homemaker. As her children grew, she went on to work for the Rock Hill School District in several capacities. She then worked for United States House of Representatives member Sue Myrick, and later for the Charlotte Knights where she ran the front office.
Ronda loved the sun, her pool, and the beach. She and her late husband, Eric, were avid and talented shaggers and spent countless hours practicing to beach music in their kitchen with their children watching. They even purchased a jukebox, filled it with beach music records, and proudly displayed it in their home. They competed in many dance competitions, won several titles (even at the professional level), and taught shag lessons to others locally and at Ocean Drive. They made sure that their children learned to shag, and often competition weekends were spent together as a family. As her children got older and took on interests and activities of their own, Ronda felt it was appropriate for her to spend her time volunteering in their schools and was president or vice-president of the PTO each year. She gave up her own interests to focus on getting her kids (and other kids) to and from practices, games, and any other activity that the YMCA offered. Ronda was a proud supporter of the YMCA.
Over the years, Ronda enjoyed cross-stitching, solving cross word puzzles, and reading. She was talented in crafts and cooking. She loved to decorate for holidays and each Christmas she turned her home into a beautiful Christmas display. It was common for her Christmas tree to stay up all year. She also enjoyed visiting Maggie Valley with her mother. Ronda thoroughly enjoyed cooking shows, mysteries, and sitcoms. It was not uncommon to walk into her home to find her binge-watching Mama’s Family, The Big Bang Theory, and Friends.
Ronda selflessly sacrificed much of her time and energy to support Eric in his role as principal of Rock Hill High School for almost 30 years and opened her home to countless students over the years. He could not have been who or what he was to the school and the community were it not for her. She served as selflessly and passionately as he did though her service was often not seen by the public.
Ronda’s children’s friends were always welcomed with a smile, were given all the snacks they could want, and would freely go in and out of the door as much as her own children. Ronda was a devoted wife and mother, but her greatest joy came from being a grandmother. She especially loved seeing her grandchildren pursuing their educations, learning their trades, working at Camp Cherokee and the YMCA, serving the community around them, and of course, carrying on the family tradition of shagging.
Ronda was predeceased by her beloved husband, Eric; her granddaughters, Addison and Bailey, and her precious grandson, Kolby, who was without doubt, her first hug in Heaven. She was also predeceased by her parents, Fleeta Clinton (Tommy) Lewis and Harold Leroy Thomas; her in-laws Gene (Tootsie) and Elsie Lessmeister; her brother, Danny Ray Thomas; and her brother-in law, Kim Lessmeister.
Ronda is survived by her children, Lori (Lee) Stoneburner, Brooke (Tony) Breeden, and Bradley Lessmeister; her grandchildren, Dylan (Jack) Gunnels, Austin (Megan) Breeden, Breanna (Coleman) Hoffman, Austin Gunnels, Lily (Noah) Gammons, Taylor Stoneburner, Devin (KJ) Breeden, Braden Lessmeister, Leyna Stoneburner, Emilee Lessmeister, and Briggs Lessmeister; her great-grandchildren, Ada, Kolby, and Isaac; her sister, Jeanie Thomas (Jimmie) Cox; her sisters-in law Peggy Thomas, Barbara Ann (Jim) Lewis, Janet (Al) Lessmeister, Tracy Lessmeister, Debbie (David) Haimes, and Kim (Allen) Percival; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by those that entered her home and her heart as friends of her children and grandchildren over the years. Not a single one was ever forgotten, and her door was always open to them.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Greene Funeral Home (Northwest Chapel). A funeral will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Pastor Jason (Tanya) Demby, whom Ronda considered her fourth child, officiating the service.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for Hospice and Community Care of Rock Hill who assisted her children in making sure that she could be cared for at home. The people who are called to serve in these roles are genuine blessings to all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to gifting Camp Cherokee with a memorial in Ronda’s honor to help send children to camp through the Kolby Hudson fund. Memorials may also be made to the Sheriff’s Foundation of York County to benefit the York County Police Cadets.