Obituary of Joe Earl Rhodes

Mr. Joe Earl Rhodes passed away April 20, 2015 at his home in Bertha, Alabama at the age of 86. Funeral services will be 10:00 A. M. Thursday, April 23, 2015, from New Hope Baptist Church with Reverend Dan Sheppard and Reverend Jud Waldrop officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home and Cremations of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Wednesday from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Joe was born August 15, 1928 in Bertha, Alabama, the son of John Franklin Rhodes and Maudie Smith Rhodes. Joe and his wife, Frances Stuckey Rhodes celebrated 70 years of marriage on March 30, 2015. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and was also a member of the Clinton Masonic Lodge 287. Joe spent much of his life living in Florida working for Greyhound Bus Lines from which he retired after thirty years of service, having earned numerous safety awards. Following his retirement, he worked several years for Duval Ford, Fleet Sales in Jacksonville, Florida. During his lifetime, Joe built three homes in which he raised his family and enjoyed friends. The homes were located in Lantana, Florida, Orangedale, Florida and Bertha, Alabama. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Frances Stuckey Rhodes of Skipperville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Fran Rhodes, Frank and Marilyn Rhodes; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Gayle Rhodes; four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that gifts be made in Joe’s memory to the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 4239 County Road 69, Skipperville, Alabama 36374; or to the Judson Baptist Association Food Pantry, 532 Ozark Road, Abbeville, Alabama 36310. Service Information