Willie Leslie Rhodes

Services for Leslie Rhodes, 79, of Lufkin, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Gene Hazell officiating and Welton Blackmon assisting. Interment will follow in Fielders Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Rhodes was born December 3, 1934 in Lufkin, Texas, the son of the late Maybelle (Price) and Willie Lee Rhodes. He passed away Thursday, July 31, 2014 in a local nursing facility.

Mr. Leslie Rhodes was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a loving brother and very close to his siblings. He was retired from American Color Graphics as a pressroom supervisor, following more than 40 years of employment. He had many passions in life. He was an athlete, played baseball, loved horseback riding (especially with his wife) and played golf. He was an avid hunter, an excellent marksman and really enjoyed the outdoors. As a capable, resourceful man, he was proficient at many tasks. He was a good mechanic, plumber, electrician, carpenter and even built their family home. His faithful Christian hardworking way of life accomplished so much. Most of all, he loved the Lord and his family!

Leslie was a member of Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church where he served his entire life. He was a very active worker in the church and loved his church family.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Rhodes of Lufkin. They would have been married 58 years on August 11th. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Bethany and Joseph Butler of San Augustine; son and daughter-in-law, David and LeAnn Rhodes of Sylacauga, Alabama; grandchildren, Brittany Butler, Benjamin Butler, Rebekah Butler, Kara Elise Rhodes and Kali Celine Rhodes; brother and sister-in-law, Carol Gene and Eileen Rhodes of Lufkin; brother, Charlie Rhodes of Huntington; brother-in-law, Otis Leon Harbuck and wife Catherine; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rhodes was preceded in death by his sisters, Deltha Vansau and Mable Rhodes; and sister-in-law, Bobbie Jewel Rhodes.

Pallbearers will be Ben Butler, Steven Waller, Maitland Rhodes, Greg Rhodes, Eric Eddins, Joe Harbuck, and Kevin Harbuck.

Honorary pallbearers will be Keary Waller, Barry Rhodes and Evan Rhodes.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home