Lynda Kay Rhoades-Frost

Lynda Kay Rhoades-Frost

Funeral service for Lynda Kay Rhoades-Frost, 53, of Chickasha, Oklahoma will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2005 at the First Baptist Church of Chickasha. The family will receive friends and visitors from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday evening March 25 at Sevier Funeral Home.

Lynda Kay Rhoades-Frost was born January 19, 1952 in Sulphur, Oklahoma, the daughter of Edd D. and Erma Embry-Rhoades of Chickasha. She died March 24, 2005 in Chickasha, following a lengthy illness.

At six months, Lynda and her family moved to McAlester and in 1957 to Chickasha. Lynda attended the Dick & Jane Kindergarten at Oklahoma College for Women (now USAO) and the Chickasha Public Schools, graduating in 1970.

At age ten Lynda accepted Christ into her life, joining the First Baptist Church of Chickasha. She was active in the church throughout her school years. In high school, Lynda was a member of the Oklahoma and National Honor Societies, Spanish Club, Future Teachers of America, Student Council, and Prairie Schooner staff, sophomore and junior class planning committees, serving as a junior class officer and Pep Club President. She was a lifeguard at the Shannon Springs public pool.

Lynda was active in the Order of Rainbow for Girls: installed in the offices of Choir, Love, Religion, Chaplain, Drill Leader, Fidelity, Outer Observer, Faith, and Charity. She attended the Supreme Assembly of Rainbow International in Toronto in 1968. The following year, she was appointed official Grand Trailer accompanying the Oklahoma Grand Representative to the Nebraska Grand Assembly in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lynda studied at Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1975 from the University of Oklahoma. She was first employed by the Oklahoma Memorial Hospital in Norman, later furthering her medical education at the Truman Medical School of Nurse Anesthesia in Kansas City, MO. She became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and was later clinical instructor at Truman Medical.

During her tenure at Truman, Lynda completed additional course work at the University of Missouri (Kansas City) and was awarded a Masters of Science degree in Biology in 1985. She supervised nursing students and was the primary advocate for establishing a student library of medical reference material. In 1988 she resigned from Truman due to ill health.

In 1999, in appreciation of Lynda's advocacy work and teaching skills, the Lynda Frost Anesthesia Nurse Library at Truman was established, recognizing her example of endurance against all odds. According to Lynda's colleague, Chandler Bowser, CRNA, she is still remembered as the beloved instructor who "worked best with new students entering the anesthesia program, calming their fears by walking them right through the processes."

Lynda resided in Olathe, Kansas at the Johnson County Nursing Center (JCNC) from 1992 until 2000, where she served as President of their Resident Council. JCNCs activity director said Lynda "set very exacting standards . . . inspires everybody else . . . and is always encouraging other people."

Lynda moved back to Chickasha in November 2000 to be near family and friends. In many conversations, Lynda credited her faith and family in maintaining her persistent positive attitude. She spoke often of her faith in God and thankfulness for being raised in a "wonderful Christian family." Her favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Although she distinguished herself academically and professionally, Lynda always maintained her proudest accomplishment were her two children.

Lynda is survived by one son, Evan C. Frost of Chandler, AZ; one daughter, Lauren E. Frost of Chandler, AZ; parents, Edd D. Rhoades, Jr. and wife Marilyn Manning Rhoades of Edmond, OK and John Rhoades of Norman, OK; nieces, Darilyn R. Rhoades, Chicago, Rebekah Rhoades Dehan, husband Timothy Dehan and grandniece Hannah Dehan all of Oklahoma City; grandnieces Caryn J. Rhoades, Chattanooga, Taylor Rhoades, Norman, and a host of cousins and friends.

Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributiuons may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.