Rhonda Lea Ground, 72, of Paris, passed a way Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Funeral services, including “The Nightingale Tribute”, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy Turner, Rev. Ken Cannon, and Diane Grissom officiating. Private burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 4-5 p.m.
Rhonda was born May 20, 1953, in McAlester, Oklahoma to Charles Alford Moore and Billie Jo Livingston Moore. Her interest in medicine and nursing began at an early age. She was inspired by her paternal grandmother, who was a nurse for many years. Rhonda’s nursing career began as a “Candy Striper” at McAlester General Hospital. Following her graduation from McAlester High School, she embarked on her educational journey to develop a career in nursing and medicine. She enrolled in Eastern Oklahoma State College, where she received an associate degree in nursing. She worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in a nearby hospital as she pursued her training to become a Registered Nurse. In the summer of 1977, she received her Registered Nursing license and then began her search for the right environment to begin her career and hone her skills. Her quest for a potential nursing position in the larger medical community of Tyler, Texas, led her through Paris, Texas. She decided to stop at McCuistion Hospital and inquire about the availability of any potential nursing positions. She was surprised to discover their urgent need for her profession and since Paris was closer to her home in McAlester, McCuistion Hospital is where she stayed and her career began. Rhonda began working at McCuistion Hospital, as a Registered Nurse, at the beginning of October 1977. Before the month ended, she had met her future husband, Mark Andrew Ground, at a Halloween Party for the College and Career Department at First Baptist Church in Paris. They were married on March 31, 1979, by Dr. James Semple, in the chapel of First Baptist Church, in Paris. Following this event, Rhonda and Mark each began to focus on their careers. Rhonda quickly migrated to the Intensive Care Unit at McCuistion Hospital and remained there as a nurse/manager for many years. During that time she coordinated the transition of ICU to computerization and was the nursing coordinator for the creation of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. She was also in charge of the nursing portion for The Joint Commission. Even while working such a rigorous work schedule, Rhonda still made time to enroll in the nursing department at Dallas Baptist University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Mark and his father owned and operated a Registered Holstein dairy farm in Lamar County, so, his and Rhonda’s hours together were very brief. They laughingly would tell people that because their time together was so brief, during much of their married life, they were always glad to see each other and to this day they never have had an argument or fight.
Rhonda is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert Moore and Eddie Moore and several other loving family members. She is survived by her husband, Mark; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Leslie and Craig Harris of Robinson, along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. A simple “thank you” seems inadequate for the medical care extended by the following—Emergency RN’s, Earl and Hayden; ICU RN’s, Sarah, Scott, Brittany, Mariana, Karen, Matt, Ty, Jennifer, Christine, Laurie, Austin, Sheila, Samantha and William; all the Respiratory Therapists; social worker Sonia and Rhonda’s doctors, Dr. Azam, Dr. Khadka, Dr. Efendi and Dr. Ferris and to Chambers Hospice nurses, Heather, Jessica, and Bree for helping close a chapter in Rhonda’s life and peacefully open a new one. It is with deepest apology, if I failed to remember a particular name. The quality of care expressed by all these individuals was nothing less than perfect.
In lieu of usual floral memorials and because of Rhonda’s profession of faith she made to the Lord, as a girl, at First Baptist Church in McAlester, her family would love for you to give a gift of Bibles through the Gideon Card Program. Donations can be mailed to The Paris Gideon Camp. P.O. Box 261, Paris, Texas 75461 or ordered online at www.gideons.org.
To leave a message or tribute for the family, please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com.
