Jack Russell Rhodes

Jack Russell Rhodes, 87, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 at home with members of his loving family at his bedside. A graveside service is scheduled for 3:00 pm at Coy Church Cemetery in Preston, Mississippi. Family visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A funeral service will follow the visitation in the chapel of Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Services will be under the direction of Parkway Funeral Home with Reverend Sid Johnson officiating.

Jack was born July 22, 1936, the oldest of three children of W.C. and Annie Whitten Rhodes. He grew up in Winston County and attended Louisville Public Schools, graduating in 1954.

He attended Mississippi State University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Production in 1958.

Following graduation he was employed by the Mississippi Forestry Commission as Management Forester at Philadelphia, Mississippi. He later served as District Forester at the Commission’s Northeast District at Tupelo and Utilization Forester at the Jackson office.

During his employment with the Forestry Commission he also served six years with the Mississippi Army National Guard, including active duty at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

In 1966, Jack was appointed Manager of the Agricultural Industries Department of the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board, now the Mississippi Development Authority. He was later appointed Associate Director of that agency and Secretary of the Mississippi Marketing Council with each appointment confirmed by the Mississippi Senate. Most of his work in those assignments involved efforts to develop additional markets for Mississippi agricultural and forest products, including the attraction of industries to process them. An international trade office was established in New Orleans and overseas trade missions were conducted to Japan and several countries in Europe and South America.

In 1969, Jack was employed by the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, now the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, to assist in the establishment of an economic development department. He retired as Vice President of Economic Development in 2002.

In retirement Jack thoroughly enjoyed activities with his family, especially when his three granddaughters were involved. He also enjoyed his favorite hobbies of genealogical and local history research.

Jack and his wife have been members of Alta Woods Baptist Church for over 50 years. During part of that time, he served as Secretary for the Adult Sunday School Department.

Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Marguerite Cumberland of Preston, MS; one son,

Scott (Mollie) Rhodes; three granddaughters, McKenna, Piper and Ainslee Rhodes of Madison, MS; one sister, Mary Jane Bynum of Star, MS; one nephew, Jeff (Kristy) Lovorn of Florence, MS; one niece, Jill (Sam) Gough of Marietta, GA; one great nephew, Will Lovorn; and two great nieces, Sarah Lovorn and Annie Gough.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Joy Lovorn; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Lovorn and Wayne Bynum.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.parkwayfuneralhomeridgeland.com for the Rhodes family.