Emma “Ruth” Rhodes of St. George, WV, went home to be with the Lord Friday April 24, 2020 in Roanoke VA.
She was born Monday, January 2, 1933 in Mullins, a daughter of the late Jess Walter and LouAnna Greene Blankenship. Meeting her in heaven is her husband Reverend William “Bill” Rhodes. Bill and Ruth were married June 22, 1953 in Brenton and celebrated fifty-six years of marriage.
Together they have one daughter, Karen Lynn Bastian and four sons, Timothy James Rhodes and wife Susan of Salem, VA, Nathan Charles Rhodes and wife Pamela of Gorman, MD, The Rev. Paul Angelo Rhodes and wife Annette of Sugarlands, and The Rev. William “Todd” Rhodes and wife Michelle of Harman and sister, Charlene Mustain and husband Jim of Cartersville, VA. She is blessed with thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in passing are three brothers and five sisters: Albon, Murcer, Walter “Buddy”, Freda, Lavada “Jean”, Shirley, Ethel, and Georgina.
She married the love of her life and her heart belonged to the Lord. She was a passionate and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher and friend. She and Bill lived their lives for the Lord and followed his lead. Everywhere they went, they let the love of the Lord shine through them, sharing the Word. She loved.
She led her whole life leading up to this one precious moment and to be reunited with Bill. This is not her goodbye, she is waiting in the sweet by and by.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 12:30 PM at the Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons, WV., where a Celebration of Life will be shared by her children and grandchildren. Interment will follow. We encourage our communities to support one another through leaving memories and condolences at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home website. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Emma Ruth Blankenship Rhodes. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.