Ronda F. Hansen

Ronda French Hansen of St. Simons Island, Georgia passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4th after a battle with Glioblastoma. She was 69. Ronda was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and beloved sister and friend.

Born in Richland, Georgia to the late Ronald “Ronny” and Mary French, Ronda was the oldest of 3 children. She was an incredible sister to her two younger brothers, Chuck and Russell. The close-knit family later moved to Lumpkin, Georgia where Ronda grew up and spent her formative years at Stewart County High School.

Ronda later attended Valdosta State where she met the love of her life, Bill Hansen. It was love at first sight when Bill met Ronda. Although it took him three tries, Ronda eventually agreed to a date, and two years later they were married on August 18th, 1974 (the hottest day of the year!). They moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia where they raised their daughter, Kristen, and met their lifelong friends.

Ronda was an avid reader and loved spending time with The Cocktail Beach Crew of friends. Ronda spent the past 10 years as Vice President of Express Employment of Brunswick. She was a devoted member of St. Simons United Methodist Church where she was instrumental in initiating the afterschool program for elementary students and a member of the handbell choir.

Ronda’s true passion was her family. Ronda adored her daughter Kristen, her son-in-law Harrison, and her grandchildren, Rivers, Harrison, and Parks. “RoRo” loved spending time with her grandkids and spoiling them. She looked forward to the family spending summers on St. Simons, where she enjoyed playing, beach outings, and cooking dinner every night for the children. Nothing made her happier than time with her family.

Ronda was a beacon of light and love to all who knew her. Her unwavering love for her family was evident in everything she did. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but the memory of her spirit and her beautiful smile will live on in the countless lives she touched.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, William Frederick “Bill” Hansen; her daughter, Kristen Hansen Merrill; son-in-law, Harrison Merrill Jr; three grandchildren, Rivers Merrill, Harrison Merrill III, and Parks Merrill; her brothers, Ronald “Chuck” (Kathy) French Jr, Russell French, sister-in-laws Nancy String and Dondra (Tim) Whigham; numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and her adored dog, Lilly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald ”Ronny” and Mary French, brother-in-laws, Donald Daniell and Peter Hansen, and sister-in-law, Jean Daniell.

A celebration of Ronda's life will be held at the St. Simons United Methodist Church on St. Simons Island, GA on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at 11 am with a reception afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ronda’s honor to the International Seafarers’ Center (https://www.seafarerscenter.org/) or St. Simons United Methodist Church (https://www.stsimonsumc.com/).