Rhonda Lynn (Warren) Burden-Speaks, age 59, was born in Poteau, Oklahoma, on September 5, 1966, and passed away on April 28, 2026, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, surrounded by her two (2) daughters and multiple family members.
Rhonda graduated from Cameron High School in 1985. Afterward, she went on to Carl Albert State College School of Nursing and graduated in 1989, earning her nursing license as a Registered Nurse (RN). She worked as an RN in Arkansas and Oklahoma for over 37 years.
Her ability to make difficult decisions, combined with her compassion and kindness, made nursing a natural fit for her.
Rhonda is survived by her two daughters, Mallory Speaks and Abbie Speaks of Poteau, Oklahoma, her adoptive father, Jimmie Burden of Cameron, Oklahoma, her brothers, Wayne Burden and his wife, Tessa Burden of Cameron, Oklahoma, along with Samual Burden and his wife Jessica Burden of Yukon, Oklahoma, her aunt and uncle, Dru & Dennis Waren of Cameron, Oklahoma, uncle Jerry Gregg of Poteau, Oklahoma, numerous in-laws, whom she never saw as in-laws, but as her brothers and sisters, sisters, Wanda Pearcy of Hackett, Arkansas, Dusty Meyeraan and husband Brett Meyeraan of Mansfield, Arkansas, Tonya Edgar and husband Charles Edgar of Waldron, Arkansas, her brother, Jason Williams and Paula Williams of Greenwood, Arkansas, five cousins, fourteen nieces and seven nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, an honorary grandson, and then a grand pup named Yaga, who was her buddy.
She is preceded in death by her father, Denzel Eugene Warren, and her chosen adoptive mother, Norma Jean Burden, her aunts, Nancy Ethelta Lawerence and Francine Eline Gregg, and cousin Bryan Murray along with her other parent figures, Richard and Lynda (Granny) Thomas, James, and Fredia (Nanny) Speaks.
Celebration of Life Services for Rhonda will be held at 2 pm Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Trintiy Baptist Church 207 Holiday Ave Poteau, Oklahoma 74953 with Pastor Wayne Burden officiating. Family Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Friday, May 1, 2026, at The Cedars on Dewey 520 Dewey Ave Poteau, Oklahoma 74953. Burial will follow in Fairhill Cemetery in Knothole, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers will be Sam Burden, Keith Murray, Jason Williams, Charles Edgar, Warren Waren and Chief Michael Ivy.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Sadler Fuller, Jacob Speaks, Malachi Fuller, Lane Willaims, Austin Edgar, Alex Burden, Chase Edgar, Bryce Langley, Landon Meyeraan, Waylon Speaks, Levi Eagle, Colton Moore, Logan Williams, Austin Williams, Brady Langley, Tyker Meyeraan, Willaim Meyeraan, Tripp Myeraan, M.T. and Arkoma Police Department.
Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com
Through Love, Serve One Another
The Family of Rhonda Burden-Speaks has entrusted her arrangements to Holt Funeral and Cremation, 522 Dewey Ave Poteau, OK 74953, (918) 721-0026. Poteau. Only 100% Locally Owned and Family Operated Funeral Home – Our Family, Loving Your Family Through
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