"Her children arise up and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28.
Annabelle Rebecca Rhodes went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 6, 2011.
She was born December 25, 1913 in a log cabin in Fletcher, near Kentuck, Jackson County. She was the tenth of eleven children born to the late John Wesley and Mary Carpenter Doughty.
She went to work at Kelly Axe Factory/True Temper at the age of 14. There, she met her future husband, Dayton Rhodes, with the help of Dayton's sister, Lurie Rhodes West. They were married December 23, 1933 and were married for almost 60 years when Dayton passed away on October 23, 1993.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by five brothers, Enos, Austin, Henry, Aubrey and Melford; five sisters, Netra Fields, Myrtle Casto, Stella Morris, Virginia Rhodes and Opal Rhodes; five half-siblings, James, George, Albert, Alonzo and Rachel Casto; and son-in-law, John S. Jones.
She is survived by her son, Larry and his wife, Grace Rhodes, and daughter, JoAnn Jones, with whom she made her home, all of Pocatalico; grandsons, Gary Rhodes of Ashtabula, Ohio, and Greg and his wife, Teresa Rhodes, of Pocatalico; her first great-granddaughter, Danielle and husband, Jacob Semple, of Stuttgart, Germany; her only great-grandson, Airman 1st Class Travis Rhodes of Pocatalico; she was "Mamaw Granny" to her twin great-granddaughters, Abigail and Hannah Rhodes of Pocatalico; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by grandcats, Gabriel, Lilli and Ben, who loved her dearly.
She loved to read her Bible and library books, crocheting and, when able, she liked to cook and make wonderful pies for her family. She was a member of North Hills Baptist Church.
A celebration of Annabelle's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2011 at North Hills Baptist Church, Pocatalico with Pastor Mike Harper officiating. Burial will follow at Goshen Cemetery, Kentuck.
Flowers will be appreciated, or you may make a donation to North Hills Baptist Church, 6108 Hills Lane, Charleston, WV 25312.
Thanks to Sunbridge Rehabilitation; Girling Home Health Care; Hospice; Dr. Sarah Nease; Dr. Asif Rahman; and our wonderful family doctor, Dr. Kathleen Bors, all who took care of our mom over the last several years. Thanks also to Pastor Mike Harper for all of his visits and prayers for our mom, and to our family, friends and church family for all of the cards and prayers.
Condolences may be shared by visiting www.longfisherfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Long and Fisher Funeral Home.