Rhonda Winningham Ellis

Rhonda Winningham Ellis 68, always considered the life of the party and a lifetime resident of Northeast Arkansas, died Friday, June 5, 2026. She was born on October 1, 1957, to Floyd and Lois Winningham. She was of the Church of Christ belief. Rhonda retired from the Jonesboro Police Department after 18 years of service. She was the secretary for the Criminal Investigation Division. She worked for years in the family business, Winningham Parts Warehouse. Rhonda was a 1975 graduate of Valley View High School. She was an accomplished cook and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. Camping, Fishing and floating on the river were some of her favorite activities. As long as she was outdoors, she was happy. Rhonda was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Craighead County Domestic Violence Task Force. She was preceded in death by her father.

Survivors include her daughter, Heather Ellis of Walnut Ridge; brother, Rickey Winningham and wife Melinda of Bay; sister, Sonya Spinner and husband, Tony of Pocahontas; four grandchildren, Caleb, Cameron, Landon and Carlos; nephew, Garrett Winningham, and a host of cousins and friends.

A graveside memorial service will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Evett Cemetery at Marcella, Arkansas, near Mountain View, Arkansas with Calvin Taylor officiating. Visitation will be on Friday night from 5-7:00 PM at Emerson Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers are Current and Past members of the Jonesboro Police Department Criminal Investigation Division; Current and Past members of the Fraternal Order of Police and employees of Winningham Parts Warehouse.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, Arkansas, 72450. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.