Rhonda Lynn Gunter died unexpectedly on February 12, 2026, while visiting dear friends near Pinehurst, North Carolina. She had a massive stroke in her sleep, and though she did not regain consciousness the following day, Rhonda was surrounded by loved ones as she quietly passed away.
Rhonda led a full and active life of service and was an amazing contributor to her family, friends, and community. Those who knew Rhonda recognized she was a force of nature, with a courageous and determined spirit and an iron will. She worked hard her entire life and always gave the best of herself and her resources to others.
Born on April 17, 1954, to Ralph Henry Gunter and Virginia Kate McKinney Gunter of Spruce Pine and Bakersville, North Carolina, Rhonda lived in Spruce Pine most of her adult life. Notably, the Gunters lived in Winston-Salem but returned to their family property in Spruce Pine each summer to run a community pool on Beaver Creek Road that was well attended and enjoyed by many locals.
After the early loss of her birth mother, Rhonda and her beloved brother, Mike, briefly lived with their grandparents, A.J. and Carrie McKinney of Bakersville. Their father, Ralph, remarried Betty Jean Smith Wills Gunter when Rhonda was 6 years old. Rhonda and her siblings attended elementary and high school in Winston Salem, where Rhonda graduated from Mount Tabor High School in 1972.
Later, following the loss of both her stepmother and father in 1973 and 1974, Rhonda began higher education on scholarship, and worked many jobs to put herself through college, earning an undergraduate and Master’s degree from Appalachian State University.
Rhonda was deeply committed to her career as a history and political science educator at Mayland Community College. She taught many students in and around Mitchell County with patience and fairness, and she mentored many more as a learning facilitator and Girl Scout leader during her career. She also remained active in many outreach initiatives and educational programs in Mitchell County.
Throughout her life, Rhonda remained devoted to Christian service and was a productive member of Spruce Pine Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder and worked faithfully in various leadership positions. Over the course of 40 years, Rhonda served as Sunday School Superintendent, Session member, Clerk of the Session, and was a constant contributor of wonderful fellowship dinner dishes and decadent cakes.
Family and friends were always a priority for Rhonda. Among her best attributes were the habit of connecting people in conversation and making wonderful, nourishing food and creating warm, hospitable gatherings for family and friends. Rhonda was a forever friend; truly loyal, considerate, and loving. She never arrived anywhere without something in hand to share, and quietly looked after many people, always mindful of the needs of those around her.
In between school terms, and later, after she retired, Rhonda travelled the world with good friends. She always returned from these journeys laden with thoughtful gifts for others. Rhonda loved trips to the beach with friends and always had popular music playing in the background. She enjoyed all kinds of card and board games — especially Canasta and playing Wordle each morning with her sweet companion dog Jonah by her side.
Rhonda was an inveterate reader and writer, a diligent and detail-oriented historical researcher, a gifted genealogist, and an editor. She was an incredible repository of local historical and genealogical knowledge and contributed articles each month for the “Looking Back” feature in the local paper. Recently, Rhonda created a museum in the Historical Society headquarters located in the old Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville.
In retirement, Rhonda further focused her prodigious skills and energies in chairing the Board of the Mitchell County Historical Society, while developing meaningful programs and fundraising for the Society. She oversaw the Historical Society’s title role in the Apple Butter Festival in Bakersville for many years, and also enjoyed volunteering and serving on the Board of the Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry in Mitchell County.
At home, Rhonda’s skills as a homemaker and gardener were evident in her colorful, well-kept home and garden. She was an excellent seamstress, and baked goods and wonderful food flowed constantly from her kitchen, as Rhonda was an accomplished Southern-style cook.
Rhonda is survived by her loving brother, Mike Gunter, of Spruce Pine, and his wife, Catherine; beloved cousins, the Kim and Jerry Griffith Family of Tipton Hill, the Tommy and Wanda Duncan Family of Bakersville, and Steve Gunter of Spruce Pine. Joining the family circle in mourning her passing are Rhonda’s dearest friends; Angi Silver Hanser and husband Terry Hanser of Aberdeen; Jan Graham of Burnsville; Sherry Weeks of Celo; Beth Ellis of Bakersville; Susie Speed of Selma, Alabama; Dana Payne of Morganton, along with many others whom Rhonda befriended through her work at her church, the Mitchell County Historical Society and Shepherd’s Staff.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Spruce Pine Presbyterian Church, with a visitation and light lunch in the church fellowship hall from 12 o’clock noon to 1 p.m., followed by a service in the church sanctuary at 1:15 p.m. and interment at Green Young Cemetery in Bakersville, North Carolina, after the service concludes. Memorials may be directed to The Mitchell County Historical Society or Shepherd’s Staff of Mitchell County.