Nona Ray Rhodus, 74, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away from cancer on March 11, 2017. She was born on Dec. 31, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, to Leon and Hester (Keith) Pumphrey. Her dad, as Master Sergeant Cook for the Army, traveled extensively with his family, including to the Philippines by ship. During that voyage, they crossed the International Date Line on her birthday when she was 8 years old. Leon's last tour brought them to Anchorage, where they decided to stay. Nona graduated from Anchorage High School, attended Barber College and continued her education in accounting at Anchorage Community College. She raised a family, was the President of the Moonlighters Homemakers Club of Anchorage and enjoyed participating with local theatrical productions. She went to work for Enstar in the mid-1970s, and made a career of working at the Anchorage and Wasilla, Alaska, offices. She made many life long friends there. Nona's dream of traveling the U.S. came true in the late 1990s, when she and her husband, Murray, headed south for an R.V. adventure crossing most of North America. They settled briefly in the Santa Cruz, Calif., area to be close to her son, Tommy, and daughter, Nanci, and their families. Missing Alaska and their family and friends there motivated Nona and Murray to return to Anchorage in 2001. Nona is survived by her three children and their families: Vicki Price (Stephen and Zachary Hendricks) of Anchorage, Tom Price (Rannvieg and Tommy) of Castro Valley, Calif., and Nanci Price (Daryl, Casey and Carter Monk) of Los Gatos, Calif. Her son Tommy described her, "She had a great life and we were fortunate to have her as our mom, she taught us by loving us." Her daughter Vicki added that Nona loved to cook, "Every year she baked us birthday cakes that were too beautiful to eat - although we did eat them, happily." Her family is thankful for the loving care Nona received from Becky, Liz and Norma with Providence Hospice; Faith, Jessica and Simone with Preferred Care; and Mel, Lori, Bridgette and Jamie with Serenity Circle Assisted Living Home. The Memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 2 p.m., at the American Legion Post 28, 7001 Brayton Drive in Anchorage.