Patricia A. Rhodes

Patricia Rhodes left this world on Friday, July 15th. She was given to us 77 years ago, born to Robert and Mildred Stewart in Avon Park, Florida. A Christmas baby, as were Sir Isaac Newton and Jimmy Buffet, and as the story goes of the Northern Star leading the wise men, Pat was a born leader. In an era when it was difficult for women to achieve ambitious dreams, she overcame many obstacles to realize her dreams. A true entrepreneur she started her first business, Hinson's Kindergarten and Day Nursery as she started our family. We grew up with many children in our home, and our Mom made sure we were happy, well-cared for, and involved in many activities. The daycare was successful and provided income she needed to attend college. She graduated with a B.A. In Science from Jacksonville University and began teaching science, chemistry, and physics at Ed White and Terry Parker high schools until she retired after over 20 years. For most people, these would be accomplishment enough, but not our Mom. While managing the daycare and teaching she also started many other businesses such as: "Clip N' Save" magazine, a telephone answering service, staffing agency, educational tax software & publication. She even managed to be a wild life rescuer. In 1979 she founded and remained active as President of Pat Rhodes Accounting, Inc. "The Tax Place". She became an Enrolled Agent, representing individuals and helping them resolve tax issues, and was elected to IRPAC a federal advisory committee. While she was smart, hardworking, and successful in many businesses, what was Pat most proud of? What would she consider her greatest accomplishment in life? Her legacy? Beyond the topics of everyday life, work, politics, where did her conversations inevitably turn? Always, without fail, to her family. Her son John or "Bud" as she always called him. His name only from mother to son. A quiet spirit, man of few words, with strong character and always her source of pride. Her daughter Mary - vice president of her accounting firm, whom she relied on for her second eyes and ears. Passionate, compassionate, accepting and loving to everyone. And her youngest Tricia, who carries so many of her strong character traits. Sweet and kind spirit with focus on others, believing in the importance of words and using them to spread her love and care to everyone. And from those three, a long list of amazing granddaughters, great granddaughters, and only one (yes one) grandson. One must ask why so many girl descendants? If you believe that everything happens for a reason, one must conclude that it happened that way because all that feminine strength, wisdom, passion, and tenacity had to be passed down. Pat raised amazing kids, but was a beacon of all traits of a strong woman to the girls especially. Many would believe THIS was the Legacy of Pat. THIS was what she considered her life's purpose and greatest accomplishment. Stuart was the "favorite" and only grandson, or "the golden child" as all the girl cousins called him. Yes, "Bud" was the apple of her eye and held a sacred special compartment of her heart. But her girls - Look in the eyes of these women and you will see Pat. Talk to them and you will realize the strength and love of Pat. She shared a large part of her life with Richard Wolfe, a loyal friend and partner, steadfastly holding her hand until the end. Pat lived her life much as Maya Angelou's quote: "People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." She is survived by Richard Wolfe, her children John (Patricia) Hinson, Mary (Sam) Froio, and Patricia (Roy) Wilson, grandchildren Lisa (Emil) Hagood, Jessica (Gerard) Boonstra, Ashley (Dustin) Roberts, Lindsay Hinson, Stuart Wilson, and Miranda Wilson, and great grandchildren Cecelia, Carissa, Katelynn, and Violet. Funeral arrangements provided by: Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Visitation is Wednesday, July 20th 5pm-8pm, Funeral service Thursday July 21st 10am-11am, both services to be held at the funeral home, Graveside service immediately following.