Rona Carlos Echerd
Rona Carlos Echerd, 49, of Ooltewah, Tennessee peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. She was the devoted wife to Hartly Echerd and daughter to Rodolfo and Cristina Carlos.
She lived much of her life in Chattanooga. Earning a master’s degree in Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and working as an executive director at R+L Global Logistics highlighted her commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. Her love for gardening, her enjoyment of winters in Fort Myers, and her commitment to showing up for every important moment in her loved ones’ lives are beautiful reflections of her caring nature.
Gardening brought her so much joy and peace. It is wonderful how she could nurture plants and create breathtaking spaces. She carefully selected every new plant. The inside and outside of their home was filled with exquisite flowers. Her garden reflected her personality—full of life, color, and care. Rona and Hartly shared so many memories each day by the water and her beautiful surroundings she created.
Rona loved to laugh. When she walked into a room, she sparked conversations that often ended in laughter. She was the one who initiated gatherings, which always involved lots of food. Her laughter would fill the room with joy. Her presence brought warmth and happiness to everyone around her.
Rona was kind, thoughtful, and cared deeply of all of those that interacted with her. Her constant empathy towards others was shown in every action she took and within every group she encountered. Rona would always know the right thing to say when asked for advice, and she believed the best in everyone around her. She had an abundant amount of love for her family, showing up for every graduation, birthday, holiday, and all the little celebrations in between.
She was so loved by everyone who knew her. She will always be in our hearts.
Rona was preceded in death by her brother, Jose Irwin Carlos.
She is survived by her husband, John Hartly Echerd, of Ooltewah; her parents, Rodolfo and Cristina Carlos, of Chattanooga; sisters, Annie Schanley of Chattanooga, and Amabelle (Daniel) Ottley of Chattanooga; her step-daughter, Laura (Brooks) Slayton, and grandson, Griffin; sisters-in-law, Amy (Jimmy) Fowler and Cynda (Dale) Holmes; nieces, Lauren Schanley and Kate Ottley; nephews, Nicholas Schanley and Zachary Ottley, both of Chattanooga, Sylar (Katie) Holmes of Washington DC, Ian Fowler, and Elisha (Kelcie) Fowler.
A Funeral Mass for Rona will be at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m..
The Celebration of Rona’s Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. A Prayer of the Rosary will be held from 2 until 2:15 p.m. at North Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com