BY MILES LAYTON
HERTFORD — Rhonda Sullivan Waters, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community leader—and dedicated member of the Hertford Town Council—passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Elizabeth City Health & Rehabilitation Center. At 75, she had celebrated a life rich in family, service, and compassion.
“Rhonda exemplified humility and compassion, possessing a heart of pure gold. She was compassionate about her work and family. Her ambition was empower residents to become first time homeowners. Her legacy will echo an eternity,” said Connie Brothers, Hertford Town Council member.
Born on May 23, 1950, in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, Rhonda entered the world with a steady warmth and deep sense of purpose that would shape the lives of many.
Rhonda was the daughter of Martha and M. Davis Sullivan, who raised her with love and saw in her an early dedication to excellence. She carried those values throughout her life—toward her husband, Kenneth, whom she married in 1970; toward the community she adopted in Hertford, North Carolina; and toward her roles as leader and steward of her town.
Professionally, Rhonda spent nearly four decades building a career rooted in technical skill and public service. She began as Plant Engineer at Don Juan Manufacturing, where she worked until 1984. Her calm intelligence and hands-on leadership helped the factory thrive. In 1984, she transitioned to the Hertford Housing Authority. There, she eventually served as Executive Director until her retirement in 2012—the culmination of a tenure marked by dedication, advocacy, and tangible impact for Hertford families.
Even after stepping down as director, Rhonda’s passion for community life drew her back to public service. She was elected to the Hertford Town Council, where she was serving a term set to continue through December 2027. To constituents, she was a patient listener, a thoughtful voice, and a bridge-builder. Whether championing small infrastructure projects or mentoring younger leaders, she approached each challenge with the same work ethic that defined her career.
On Friday, July 11, 2025, family and friends will gather 11 a.m. Friday at Miller & Van Essendelft Chapel in Hertford to celebrate Rhonda’s life, according to her obituary. After the service, there will be visitation, offering a space for memory-sharing and quiet support. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts were encouraged for the Autism Society of North Carolina—an organization close to Rhonda’s heart.
What remains is a legacy built on principle: of caring leadership, lifelong learning, and unwavering faith. Rhonda Waters’ story reminds us of the impact one person can have if they lead with integrity and love. Her life was not measured only in titles—plant engineer, director, councilwoman—but in the trust she inspired, the policies she shaped, the lives she touched.
As Hertford continues to grow and change, Rhonda’s spirit stays with its people: a reminder to work diligently, to treat every neighbor with respect, and to hold hope for tomorrow. She asked only that her life be celebrated as God’s blessing to be shared—and for that, her family, colleagues, and community are forever grateful.
May her memory inspire us to live with the same compassion, purpose, and grace that guided Rhonda Waters every day.
One response to “Remembering Rhonda Waters: A Legacy of Compassion in Hertford”
[…] wife, mother, grandmother, community leader—and dedicated member of the Hertford Town Council—passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Elizabeth City Health & Rehabilitation Center. At 75, she had […]