Rhonda Kay Taylor passed away quietly at home in her sleep September 27, 2023, after a five year battle with cancer.

Rhonda was born and grew up in Decator and Julliet Illinois, after earning her teaching degree she set off to the east coast and settled in Virginia Beach where she taught elementary school touching the lives of hundreds of children. When the opportunity arose to retire and head off to Yokosuka Japan, off they went, and the adventure began. She took the opportunity to make some lifelong friends and explore the culture and country. Joining Ikebana International and learning and competing in Japanese flower arranging. She followed this by learning Tea ceremony, her Sensei's only American student. Rhonda traveled to the far corners of Japan, from Tokyo, Kyoto, Yokohama, Kamakura, Yokosuka, Enoshima, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, plus many more. After exploring the far corners of Japan, she headed off to Southeast Asia, Beijing, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, the Hmong villages in Northern Vietnam, and the temples of Ankor Watt. Rhonda was in Yokohama for the great earthquake, Tsunami, and Fukashima nuclear disaster. She evacuated to Okinawa for two weeks before travel with her husband back to Yokosuka to aide the US Navy's support of the Japanese people. When the adventure in Japan ended a new set of adventures presented themselves in San Diego, California. She spent time to explore the different neighborhoods, and Japanese gardens in Southern California, as well as visiting Seattle, Portland, Ventura, Oahu, Maui, as well as the sequoias. This was also the time to go and explore Scottland, highlighted by the military Tattoo in Edinburg, time in Prague, Budapest, and a nice river cruise up the Danube. This was followed by a trip to Germany starting in Berlin and working her way down to Munich, via train, car, and bus. Exploring along the way. Her time in San Diego turned her into a diehard Padres fan, becoming a season ticket holder and attending 60 + games a year and watching all the others.  In San Diego she continued her love for crafts, taking up quilting, Sashiko, and finally her true passion, book binding and journal building, which she continued upon her arrival in Bella Vista. Rhonda will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Dean Linder and brother, Greg Linder.

She is survived by her husband, Tim Taylor; son Shawn; daughters, Rhiana and Michelle; sister, Sue and husband, Karl Fox; nieces, Heather and Hillary; and nephew, Ryan.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.