WILMINGTON — Beloved mother, grandmother, wife, aunt and sister, Rhonda O’Janpa passed away on the morning of July 2, 2024, after a brief fight with cancer.
She was born September 14, 1951, in Clarkton, NC, to the late John Samuel Vaught and Sarah Woodrow Long Vaught.
Rhonda lived most of her life in the Wilmington, NC area, most recently Hampstead, where she resided from 1991-2023. She was a graduate of New Hanover High School and received her bachelors degree from UNCW. She was a devoted wife of 42 years to her husband, John V. O’Janpa until his passing in 2019. Rhonda was a 4th and 5th grade teacher in New Hanover and Pender Counties where she positively impacted the lives of each and every child who entered her classroom. She enjoyed being on the water, spending Saturdays on the island by Topsail and Riches inlet with her family and spending countless hours on her deck overlooking the intracoastal waterway. Rhonda was loved deeply and will be terribly missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include her sons, Ryan O’Janpa and Vic O’Janpa (wife Kristen); grandchildren, Isabella, Julia, Anna Kate and Sara Grace O’Janpa and sister, Louise Renn.
A funeral service will be held at 11am, Monday, July 8, 2024, at Andrews Hampstead Chapel.
The family will receive visitors one hour prior, beginning at 10am.
Burial will follow the service at Sea Lawn Memorial Park.
