Mary Elizabeth Rhodes

Mary Elizabeth Grantham Rhodes, 89, of Ridgeland, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 4:10 PM at Highland Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be held Friday, March 31, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and then Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 am, with funeral services following in the Chapel, all at Parkway Memorial Funeral Home located on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland. Interment will follow at Lakewood Cemetery on Clinton Blvd. in Jackson.

Ms. Rhodes, a long-term resident of Jackson and then Madison, grew up in Petal on a dairy farm and was a true country girl who had her share of chores. She liked to fish in her spare time, she played basketball and was also a cheerleader for Petal High School. She worked as a nurse for over 30 years in several different locations including the Mississippi Baptist Hospital, the Ball, Pittman, Lewis and Banks Clinic for Women, and Compere’s Nursing Home. She was a long-time active and faithful member of Parkway Baptist Church making sure the family attended every Sunday morning and night not to mention those Wednesday night meals and services. She enjoyed her adult years following her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors whether it was for sports or music recitals and everything in between. She liked to cook, shell peas and butter beans, work in the yard, watch basketball and take those annual family vacations to the beach but really looked forward to her regular trips to see Mamie at the beauty shop. A few more of her favorite past-times were visiting with neighbors and watching episodes of The Andy Griffith Show not to mention that all important show called QVC but she also enjoyed taking regular trips on Sunday afternoons to visit family who still lived in Petal to reminisce and eat some good ole home cooking. She applied traits that she acquired in her upbringing and during her work life to be the driving stable force of the family knowing just when to discipline her children but also to know when to comfort and support them. She was always available for her family and friends and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald W. Rhodes, Sr., married for 40 years, her father, George Ethridge Grantham and mother Mary Elizabeth Barron Grantham. Ms. Rhodes was the last surviving of eight children. She is survived by her children Nancy Rhodes Dennis of Madison, Gerry Rhodes of Pearl and George Rhodes (Melissa) of Madison. There are also 6 Grandchildren and 12 great Grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Highland Home especially Marla, Pat, Betty, Tori, Janet, Monica and Kayla. Memorials can be made to Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton or to the Alzheimer’s Association. “Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.”