ROOTED

The Living Legacy of Andy and Rhonda Surratt

Some stories don’t begin with introductions; they begin with roots already planted deep in the same soil.

For Rhonda Surratt and Andy Surratt, their story is one of heritage, service, and a shared life that reflects generations of values lived out daily. Their connection came through a familiar name in Cass County, George Echols, Rhonda’s cousin, where a shared love for horse riding first brought them together. What began as a simple meeting grew into a partnership deeply rooted in common ground.

Rhonda was raised in the Kildare Junction area, grounded in a strong family lineage. She is the daughter of Hershell and Jean Whatley, with deep ties extending through her grandparents Bergie Echols and Curtis Whatley, names that carry both presence and history within the community.

Andy, was raised in Linden with his roots to Kildare from his mother Faye Foshee, comes from a line of resilience and adaptation. His father, O’Neal Surratt, known to many as “Pop”, instilled in him a way of life centered on discipline, responsibility, and service. Andy never met his great-grandfather, J.W. Foshee, as he died before Andy was born, a Frenchman who migrated to the area without speaking English. Through listening to neighbors, tuning into the radio, and engaging with those around him, he taught himself the language, an early example of determination that continues to echo through the family.

Andy was raised on those values that were not only remembered, they were lived.

As Andy shared, they raised their children the same way they were raised. One phrase passed down from his father still guides him today: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

It is more than a saying; it is a philosophy rooted in stewardship and purpose. Some marriages are spoken about. Others are witnessed.

With Andy and Rhonda Surratt, what stands out is not just what they say, but what they consistently do. Their union reflects a quiet harmony, one grounded in faith and lived out through service. Their marriage is marked not by grand displays, but by steady commitment.

Andy is not a man of many words, but his actions speak clearly.

It shows in the details most might overlook: the neatly maintained grounds, the changing of filters, the fixing of locks, the care of equipment, and the readiness to step in wherever needed. His work is consistent, dependable, and done without expectation of recognition.

As he shared, many of his values were shaped by his father, whom he also calls his best friend. From him came another guiding principle: “Excuses only satisfy the one who makes it.”

A reflection of personal accountability and quiet excellence.

Rhonda brings a spiritual grounding that complements that strength. She often leans on scripture, returning to passages like Matthew 11:28–30 and Jeremiah 29 as a steady reminder to remain faithful and aligned.

Together, they have built a home centered on presence and intention.

Dinner time was never overlooked; it was a time of connection. Their children gathered at the table, sharing their day and receiving the values that would shape their lives. Rhonda recalls how her own mother used simple stories, like The Three Little Pigs, to teach resilience and wisdom, lessons she carried into her own parenting.

Their commitment extended beyond their household.

They remained present for their parents, caring for them through every stage of life. Even as they faced the loss of both mothers and later their fathers, they stayed rooted, serving, supporting, and continuing their involvement in the community they call home.

If there is one defining thread in their lives, it is this: legacy is not something you talk about, it is something you live.

Rhonda remembers being raised among storytellers, where stories were not simply told, but used to guide, teach, and connect. There were no distractions, just shared time and meaningful exchange. From that upbringing came a belief she still carries: Once a friend, always a friend. Never meet a stranger. That spirit extends into their service today.

Andy brings the same level of commitment through action.

Whether coaching their children in rodeo and baseball or now supporting their grandchildren, he is present. He estimates walking nearly 20,000 or more steps a day, not out of routine, but because he is always moving, always working, always building.

Because, as he recalls from his father: “If you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Their legacy is clearly visible in the next generation. Their grandchildren, Lily, Greta, Evan, and Lydia among them, reflect the same gentleness, presence, and connection that has been modeled before them. In Lydia, there is a calm confidence and ease with others. In Lily, a softness and attentiveness that mirrors the care she has received.

As Rhonda shared, “It’s what we do more than what we say.”

Love, in their family, is demonstrated through action, through meals prepared with care, time spent together, and a consistent presence.

Andy describes their life as simple, and he means it. With cows, chickens, and land to tend, he shared, “It’s not hard.” It is simply a matter of daily care and responsibility, a rhythm that has become their way of life.

And from that rhythm, new opportunities are growing.

Rhonda is looking forward to teaching cooking classes for both youth and adults, sharing skills that can last a lifetime. Even as she continues to learn by herself, including canning, she recalls memories of her grandmother making a caramel cream pie, what she once thought was “burning sugar.” The smell, the process, the care, it all stayed with her.

Now, she is preparing to pass that on. Andy is also looking ahead, envisioning a structured way for men and elders in the community to come together, serve, and mentor the next generation with intention.

Their work even extends into creative ways of preserving memory, including handmade decoupaged ornaments for a heritage tree, offering families a meaningful way to honor their loved ones across generations.

In a time where much is said and little is sustained; Andy and Rhonda Surratt offer a different example.

One of steadiness. Of service. Of lived heritage. They are not building for recognition. They are building for remembrance. And in doing so, they remind us all that heritage is not just where you come from… It is what you choose to carry forward, every single day.