Helen L. Rhoades

Helen L. Rhoades was born January 9, 1940 to Catherine Patton and Edward Hughes. Via her mother’s lineage (the Patton family), Mattie Robinson (Patton) met Henry Robinson, a preacher, who wooed Mattie away from her family. They begat a large family of their own as follows: Mary, Lula, Henry, Eugene, Obediah, Esther, Amos, Jarl, Catherine (Helen’s mother), Robert, and Martha.

Helen was married to Gurnell Rhoades and begat six children. She was a homemaker and day care center worker. She loved working with children. In that Helen came from a large family with a large lineage, Helen told the story to her children many times that when she was a young lady she was told she would not be able to have children. However, just as her grandmother Mattie Robinson Patton begat 11 children, Helen begat five daughters and one son. Those children begat children, and some of those children have children. Oh what a blessing, Helen Rhoades had four generations to her credit before going home to be with Jesus, Hallelujah. God is so amazing!

Helen (Mother Rhoades) has shared the story with her children and others that she was filled with the Holy Ghost when attending Grace Apostolic Church, located at 21st and College, Indianapolis. She later became a member of Jerusalem Temple, Agape Apostolic and found her forever home and official membership under the leadership of Andrea McGordon (Senior Pastor) at Faith Tabernacle Church, 5210 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis.

Helen (Mother Rhoades) is best known as being a believer in Jesus and was full of His holy spirit. She constantly, consistently and with full joy spoke of Jesus and His love. Her delight was to share how wonderful and great God is. She was known as Sister “Yum Yum” and that is easy to understand in that one of her favorite verses was Psalm 34, Verse 8: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Mother Rhoades was a radical crusader for Jesus and always ready to pray for those who needed spiritual and physical healing.

Her legacy is as follows - Children (6): Karen Ellison, Tammie Rhoades, Carmen Rhoades, Cathy Rhoades, Terry Rhoades (with the Lord), and Tomika Rhoades-McMullen. Grandchildren (16): Darnell Hill Jr., Kia Hill, Larry Gray Jr., Tamara Gray, Corey Simmons, Sharde’e Alexander, Ricky Johnson, Brittany Hughes, Frederick Smith, Terry Bishop, Lamont Bishop, Alicia Bishop, Helen Ficociello, Ciera Romero, Kennedy Hicks, and Joshua Hicks. A host of Great Grandchildren (15) and Great Great Grandchildren (2). And niece Kim Fuqua, whom she loved deeply as a daughter.

Mother Rhoades will be missed by many. She left many good deeds and seeds to sprout. Although she has been uprooted from this earth, her legacy left is John 15:12-13 “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

A Visitation at Crown Hill Memorial Chapel for Helen will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, followed by a Celebration of Life funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Rhoades family.