of North Little Rock, AR

August 8, 1962 - October 2, 2023

Rhonda Dean Hunkapiller, 61, of North Little Rock, Arkansas departed this life on October 2, 2023 after a long illness that tormented her mind and body. Rhonda was born on August 8, 1962 in Osceola, Arkansas to the late Dr. Paul D. Hunkapiller and Jamie Mann Hunkapiller. She is survived by her sister, Dr. Terry Hunkapiller (David Durr) of North Little Rock, Arkansas; nephews, Joshua Stepka, USCG of St. Louis, Missouri, David Durr III, USCG of Seattle, Washington; a niece, Mary Claire Durr of Fayetteville, Arkansas; her aunts and uncles, Patsy Everhart (Freddy) of Austin, Arkansas, Johnny Mann (Sharon) of Amarillo, Texas, Cheryle Doss of Montgomery, Alabama and Brenda Guthrie of West Helena, Arkansas. She leaves behind a host of cousins from Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada and Indiana.

Rhonda graduated from Germantown High School in 1980. She received a bachelor?s degree and a master?s degree from Arkansas State University. While at Arkansas State University, she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority and the first women?s softball team. Her athleticism was amazing! She played volleyball, basketball and softball in high school, softball in college and after college, she became a State Volleyball Official. Rhonda was a basketball coach at Bay High School (Bay, Arkansas) and taught chemistry and physics at Grubbs High School (Grubbs, Arkansas) and Tuckerman High School (Tuckerman, Arkansas). She played softball around the state for years traveling to Texas for tournament play. In 2001, Rhonda was accepted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2005. She worked as a nuclear pharmacist until 2017.

Rhonda leaves behind a legacy of a wonderful sense of humor, a playful attitude and a perspective of life that was refreshing.

A visitation for Dr. Rhonda Hunkapiller will be Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel, West Helena, Arkansas. Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Barton, Arkansas. Brother Bobbie Baker will officiate.

Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, Arkansas, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rolerfunalcomes.com/westhelena.

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