She was born on September 29th, 1969 in Opelousas, Louisiana, and grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and met her husband, Keith Rhodes. The two married in 1991, had their first son, Zachary, in 1994 and their second, Benjamin, in 1996. In 2019, she lovingly claimed the title of “Lolli” with the birth of her grandson, Oliver.
Lori worked as an elementary school teacher for 19 years, where she found great love in teaching children to read. She sang beautifully in church choirs, in her kitchen, in the car, and anywhere else she could raise her voice in worship. Through all life’s struggles, she found encouragement and peace in worship. Lori Rhodes loved fiercely and abundantly, most especially her family, though her love extended to all the people she came across. She treated everyone with a great deal of kindness and hardly ever met a stranger, even if she was halfway across the country. One of Lori’s favorite places to be was the beach, stretched out in the sand with her toes in the waves, closely followed by the Dr. Seuss theme park at Universal Studios, Seuss Landing. Almost matching her passion for her family, friends, and students was her passion for dessert. Lori took great delight in savoring life’s sweet moments. Quick to laugh and even quicker to smile, her infectious joy and love were a reflection of the faith she had in Christ and will be carried on by all those who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Lantz, and her uncle, James Robert Jones. She is survived by her husband, Keith Rhodes; sons, Zachary (Lauren) and Benjamin Rhodes; grandson, Oliver Rhodes; mother, Glenda Lantz; brother, Jeff (Marjorie) Lantz; sisters, Sharon Anding, and Tressa (Derek) Ratchford; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Services for Lori will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 2020, at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, officiated by Bryan Reed, of The Simple Church. Interment will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park. The family will receive guests on Saturday evening from 5-8 p.m.
Pallbearers include Eddie Merrill, Jeff Lantz, Kevin Rhodes, Derek Ratchford, Jay Hardy, and Marty Kent. Honorary pallbearers include her nephews.
Her family takes great comfort in knowing that Lori is now talking, singing, dancing, and laughing, completely healed at the feet of Jesus.
In lieu of flowers, Lori’s family asks that you donate books at http://www.tinyurl.com/LoriRhodesBookMemorial to Bossier Elementary and J.A. Phillips Elementary School to continue the work that she loved.
