Gloria Anderson Rhodes

Rhodes, Gloria Anderson "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4. Gloria Anderson Rhodes was born June 1, 1932, and died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007. She was a native of Florala, Ala., and moved to Chipley, Fla., as a young girl. This was her home until 1953. In Chipley, she was a member of the Presbyterian church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. In high school she was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and the captain of the cheerleading squad until her graduation in 1950. She married Fred Livingston Rhodes in May of 1952. She worked for Southern Bell Telephone Co. as a switchboard operator and was elected to the position of president of the local union for Telecommunication Workers of America. She also held positions at the Harry K. Cohen Co. and the Appalachian Northern Railroad. When her children were born, she became a homemaker until her three children were of school age. In 1964, she and her family moved to Baker, where she continued to live until her death. While in Baker, she joined and worked in several civic organizations and with her church, Baker Methodist. In 1976, she went to work for the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. She worked for 17 years as a teacher's aide until her retirement in 1993 from Northeast Elementary School. In this workplace she touched many lives, including children and adults, and will always be remembered for her great heart, capacity for sharing and her joy of life. Gloria was the type of person who could meet up with any stranger, in any place and in a short time, have that person no longer be a stranger, but a friend. Her family is sure she will do the same thing in heaven. She will have everyone gathered in a group, laughing and sharing in their good fortune. She participated in every activity her children were in. She was a Cub Scout leader, a Girl Scout leader and the most enthusiastic cheerleader at every event. She loved her home and loved providing a home and good food to all who entered. She was a friend, companion, mother, grandmother, a true Southern lady and a Christian. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. She died at home, surrounded by those who loved her. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Fred L. Rhodes; three children and their spouses, Mark A. and Kelly Rhodes, Fredda Rhodes Lamonte and Anthony, and Jay J. and Rachal Rhodes; and seven grandchildren, Ryan Lamonte, Austin Lamonte, Matthew Rhodes, Chase Rhodes, Hannah Rhodes, Brooke Rhodes and Alaina Rhodes. Pallbearers will be Ryan Lamonte, Austin Lamonte, Bill Williams, Glen Stanton, Ken Stanton and Lee Nettles. She was preceded in death by her father, Rual Jeff Anderson; mother, Allie Braswell Anderson; and two brothers, Grady and Rual Anderson. Visitation at Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Road, on Monday, Jan. 15, from 5:30 p.m. until memorial service at 7 p.m. Visitation at Chipley First United Methodist Church, Chipley, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 1:30 p.m. until religious service at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in Galilee Methodist Church Cemetery, near Graceville, Fla. Memorial donations may be made to Odyssey Hospice. Baker Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of local arrangements.