James Willie RHODES

1930 - 2016

News Death Notice

RHODES, James Willie Age 86, of Dayton, OH, formerly of Barbourville, KY, passed away Wednesday evening, May 11, 2016, at Hospice of Dayton, OH. James, known to many as Jim, was born on April 27, 1930, to the late Harrison and Bertie (Lambert) Rhodes at Barbourville, Knox County, KY. As so many others did, during the post World War II era, Jim left his beloved childhood home to pursue better job opportunities, and ultimately a better lifestyle, by moving to Ohio. He eventually married Lena Jacqueline (Cox) who was from Whitley County, Kentucky, on Nov. 5, 1954. He also began working for General Motors - a job that would last him until his retirement in 1985. Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jackie Rhodes; brothers, Keith Lewallen,; sister, Beddie Diamond; and sister -in-law, Wilma Lewallen. He is survived by his daughter, Karen A. Okla, and husband, Michael, of Oak Forest, IL, son James Gregory and wife, Shelley, of Gainesville, FL; daughter, Debra K. Wilson and husband, Marc, of Parrish, FL; ten grandchildren, Shanna M. McClung and husand, James, of Orlando, FL, Nasir M. Okla and wife, Miriam, of New Lenox , IL, Angeleah Strahl of Parrish, FL, Michelle Ross & husband, Adam, of Chicago, IL, Khalid J. Okla and wife, Brittney of Crestwood,IL, Meggan Jones & husband, Chris, of Gainesville, FL, Briana Wilson of Parrish, FL, Michael Rhodes, Geoffrey Rhodes, Lauren Rhodes all of Gainesville, FL; six great- grandchildren, Grayson, Aydin, Paityn, Ameera, Jackson and Camden; four step-children, Jim Norman, Paul Norman, Beverly (Norman) Knapp and husband, Brian, Darrell Norman; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sister -in-law, Wanda Louise Lay of Goshen, Ohio; brother-in-law, George M. Hackler of Jellico, TN; special cousin, Walter Miller; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends to mourn his passing. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016, at the Cox & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 418 5th Street, Jellico, Tennessee. Funeral services for Mr. Rhodes will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Mountain Ash Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Carpenter and Rev. Lester Cox officiating. Burial will follow in the Oaklawn at Pleasant View Cemetery. Cox & Son Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.