1928
Francis
2018
Francis Marion Rhodes
September 5, 1928 — January 27, 2018
Francis Marion “Bill” Rhodes of Lynchburg, passed peacefully to Glory on January 27, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born September 5, 1928, in Rutheron, N.M., to the late Grady Leland Rhodes and late Dorothy Jane Cummins Rhodes.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Lee Frazier Rhodes, a brother Grady Roy Rhodes (Sylvia) of Santa Fe; and a sister, Lura Beth Rhodes of Albuquerque. They raised 5 children: Glenda Rhodes Frye (Dennis) of Lynchburg, Peggy Rhodes Collins of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Nadine Rhodes Chenault (Ernie) of Goode, Va., Patty Beth Rhodes Moore (Danny) of Roswell, N.M., and Grady Leland Rhodes (Arcelia) of Tucson, Ariz.; 5 grandchildren: Casey Dale Reed of Lynchburg, Justin Tate Moore (Katy) of Winder, Ga., Jeremy Tyler Moore of Roswell, N.M., and Lauren Frye McConnell (Scott) and Jacob Matthew Frye, both of Lynchburg. Bill also had the joy of being visited by his great grandson, Royston Kyler McConnell and will have a great granddaughter in March.
Bill grew up during the depression in Northern New Mexico where he hunted, cut trees for lumber, and farmed with his family on their homestead. He met Barbara, a nurse working in the county public health office, and they married shortly thereafter. Bill was an independent diesel mechanic, renowned and well respected in his industry. He also enjoyed wood-working and spent many hours in his workshop. He worked well into his 70’s and taught a very strong work ethic to his children.
After Bill moved to central Virginia from New Mexico, he became a member, and later a trustee, of the Boonsboro United Methodist Church and loved Bible Study time with his class. Even when his health began to fail, he was always present to ‘work’ at the BUMC Annual Brunswick Stew Sale. He loved to reminisce about his youth, telling stories of living a very simple life with his family.
Bill’s family is grateful beyond measure to Gentle Shepherd Hospice for kindness and wisdom. In lieu of flowers, please consider Gentle Shepherd Hospice, Gleaning for the World Ministries, or Boonsboro United Methodist Church. Or simply do an act of pay-it-forward in his memory.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Francis’s life will follow at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Amy Beth Coleman and Carl Saunders officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
View Tribute Video
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Lee Frazier Rhodes, a brother Grady Roy Rhodes (Sylvia) of Santa Fe; and a sister, Lura Beth Rhodes of Albuquerque. They raised 5 children: Glenda Rhodes Frye (Dennis) of Lynchburg, Peggy Rhodes Collins of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Nadine Rhodes Chenault (Ernie) of Goode, Va., Patty Beth Rhodes Moore (Danny) of Roswell, N.M., and Grady Leland Rhodes (Arcelia) of Tucson, Ariz.; 5 grandchildren: Casey Dale Reed of Lynchburg, Justin Tate Moore (Katy) of Winder, Ga., Jeremy Tyler Moore of Roswell, N.M., and Lauren Frye McConnell (Scott) and Jacob Matthew Frye, both of Lynchburg. Bill also had the joy of being visited by his great grandson, Royston Kyler McConnell and will have a great granddaughter in March.
Bill grew up during the depression in Northern New Mexico where he hunted, cut trees for lumber, and farmed with his family on their homestead. He met Barbara, a nurse working in the county public health office, and they married shortly thereafter. Bill was an independent diesel mechanic, renowned and well respected in his industry. He also enjoyed wood-working and spent many hours in his workshop. He worked well into his 70’s and taught a very strong work ethic to his children.
After Bill moved to central Virginia from New Mexico, he became a member, and later a trustee, of the Boonsboro United Methodist Church and loved Bible Study time with his class. Even when his health began to fail, he was always present to ‘work’ at the BUMC Annual Brunswick Stew Sale. He loved to reminisce about his youth, telling stories of living a very simple life with his family.
Bill’s family is grateful beyond measure to Gentle Shepherd Hospice for kindness and wisdom. In lieu of flowers, please consider Gentle Shepherd Hospice, Gleaning for the World Ministries, or Boonsboro United Methodist Church. Or simply do an act of pay-it-forward in his memory.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Francis’s life will follow at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Amy Beth Coleman and Carl Saunders officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
View Tribute Video
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis Marion Rhodes, please visit our flower store.
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