Idella Rhinehart

Idella Rhinehart was born on July 7, 1932, to the late Colie Gandy and Alberta Felder Gandy in Lexington County, South Carolina. She was one of three children joining older sister Ora Bell Higgins and later joined by younger brother David Gandy. Idella was raised in New York until her mid-teens before returning to South Carolina.

Idella married Cleo Rhinehart and raised three children Mable, Cleo, and Ruby.

While living in South Carolina she was in a singing group that performed in various locations. Idella also enjoyed playing golf on Sundays. She moved to Washington DC for a time before once again returning home to South Carolina. In 1964, Idella migrated to Phoenix Arizona with the family she worked for in South Carolina. She was invaluable to them as she took care of their household. Idella later started working for Phoenix Memorial Hospital as a cook until she retired; retirement was not for her as she began working for a daycare center before retiring for a second time. Idella also completed and earned her GED at the age of 50.

One of the most important things in Idella's life was her family, spending time with them and enjoying family gatherings. She was very proud of her family’s five generations, herself as the Matriarch, her children, grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids.

Idella joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where she had the honor of being one of the “Mothers of the Church” in 2023. She also enjoyed going to the senior center in her community where she was recognized for being the eldest member. Idella was loved by many, and they considered her “mother”. As she would say, "I have been blessed with many guardian angels." Idella also enjoyed going to Sizzlers every Sunday after church. Her hobbies were fishing and camping; she loved knitting and was an avid bingo player.

Idella is survived by her daughter Mable Epperson, daughter and son-in-law Ruby & Eugene Jefferson, daughter-in-law Stephanie Rhinehart, brother David Gandy, eight grandchildren Keith Cheeks, Jacqueline Fields, Corey Cheeks, Tereasa Jefferson, Katrina Pym, Quiana Bellmon, Vicky Bundy & Stacie Cotton-MacKenzie, ten great-grandchildren Antwone Fields, Monique Galinski, Whitney Taylor, Teesha Rhinehart, Marcus Wernke, Rhiannon Cheeks, Raishon, Michael & Amerra Sims and Treasure Bellmon, nine great- great-grandkids CorTiece Hayden, Devin & Hayden Fields, Jacorey Parker, Jade & Jordan Taylor, Zoe & Traevon Wernke & Tyra Galinski and a host of other relatives.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Cleo Rhinehart, grandchildren Omoro Jefferson & Kimberly Rhinehart, and sister Ora Bell Higgins.