Obituaries

Ronda Charlan Wiethorn Pruett, 61, of Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away on May 3, 2026 at their home in San Marcos, Texas after battling breast cancer for more than seventeen years.

Ronda was born October 19, 1964, in Waco, Texas, to Charles Ray Wiethorn and Charlotte Yvonne Biggs Wiethorn. She grew up in Richardson, Texas and attended Baylor University, finishing her degree in 2007 with a B.A. in Applied Economics from the University of North Texas.

While at Baylor she met James Ross Pruett and they married in 1986. They built a life in several parts of the world including California, the Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico, Florida, and several cities in Texas. Through every move, Ronda created a home, making each transition feel seamless. She was the architect of stability in motion, the constant that made each new place feel like belonging. Together, they raised one son, Andrew Ross Pruett, who lives and works near Yosemite Valley, California.

In October 2008, at 44 years old, Ronda was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. The diagnosis was unsparing but her response was characteristically her own: she refused the script that sickness writes for patients. Instead, she began what she called her "SMA degree"—Saving My Ass - a daily commitment to living fully while fighting relentlessly. She curated a team of caregivers who became her extended family to overcome the impossible and to whom she is eternally grateful. Ronda's legacy will be summed up in a word: grit. Until her last day, she was unrelenting in her self-advocacy regarding cancer-fighting nutrition and engagement with her medical team. Her survivor's spirit and positive outlook pulled her out of each decline, over and over again, while helping countless women to navigate the complexities associated with living with breast cancer.

Ronda's faith was simple and absolute: "God is love." Not a complicated theology, not conditional mercy. Just the bedrock conviction that love was the only metric that mattered. She embodied that belief, showing it in her patience, her loyalty, and her unfailing presence for the people around her. She laughed easily and loved fully. She showed up every day living out her commitment to her family, friends, care team, ZTA sisters, and herself.

In the weeks prior to her death, Ronda and Ross settled in San Marcos, Texas to embark upon a new chapter surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, James Ross Pruett; her son, Andrew Ross Pruett; her sister, Ruthi Wiethorn Worsham, and brother-in-law, Stephen Worsham; her brother, Charles Randel Wiethorn; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Ray and Charlotte Yvonne Biggs Wiethorn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 23 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, at Omni La Mansión del Rio Hotel, located at 112 College St, San Antonio, TX 78205 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Kindly RSVP to the family if you plan to attend for accurate headcount. Also, a block of rooms has been reserved and offered at a discount for those wishing to stay there.

In Memoriam Donations:

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be made to the ZTA Foundation, Theta Omicron at Baylor University. Their mission, outreach, and efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer continue to make a significant difference in women's lives, just as they did for Ronda, who was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Theta Omicron at Baylor University.

To Donate Online:

Visit the ZTA Foundation website at https://zetataualpha.org/foundation/give

Click "Give Now."

In the message box, please indicate that the donation is in memory of "Ronda Pruett as a donation for Theta Omicron."

To Mail Checks:

Make checks payable to:

ZTA Foundation

memo line: “In memory of Ronda Pruett as a donation for Theta Omicron”

ZTA Foundation

c/o Kim Johnson

791 NUMBER TEN DOWNING ST

CHINA SPRING TX 76633-3301

To Donate via Venmo:

Send payments to: @Kimberly-Johnson-314 memo: “In memory of Ronda Pruett as a donation for Theta Omicron”

For Assistance:

You can reach Kim Johnson at her cell phone: +1-254-744-5388 or via email at kjohnson23@hot.rr.com for more information.