Dorothy Clarabelle Rhoads

Dorothy Clarabelle Rhoads, 97, passed peacefully in her sleep at her daughter's home in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. She is predeceased by her loving husband C. Donald Rhoads.
Born on April 20, 1928 in Johnstown, PA to Helen Lillian and Ralph Henry Constable, she was one of 9 children. She grew up in a happy, loving home. Dorothy is the last to join her parents and siblings in eternal rest.
Dot had faith and family as the center of her life. She is survived by her children, Earl Freeman (Sue,) Diane Rhoads, Linda Hafer, Kevin Rhoads (Stacy,) and Carol Rhoads (Jerry), as well as grandchildren Danny (Elise,) Megan, Tommy, Ellie (Kyle,) Ben, Kim and Terri. Dot also is survived by her 5 great grandchildren: Cara, Lillian, Perrin, Rooney and Olive Joy, and 4 step grandchildren.: Zack, Emily, Brittany and Cassandra.
Dot grew up a member of Park Avenue United Methodist church of Johnstown, PA. If you ask her and her husband, Don, this is where they met. Being born just two weeks apart and attending the same church, they met sleeping together in a crib in the church nursery. Dad loved to say they slept together before it was popular.
Dot later joined The First United Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg, PA, and finally, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Cumberland, MD. She truly felt at home with her church family. There, she sang in the choir, served the community children and volunteered in numerous other ways. Dorothy was a woman of strong faith and never swore, but in her later years she was a founding member of the "Good Christian Bitches," a close group of friends from St. Paul's who would gather frequently for afternoon snacks, games and laughter.
Her legacy lives on in her family members. Dot valued having all of her family together. She was always the hostess for holidays and beds were made up and ready for any child or grandchild that wanted to visit. She consistently made home-cooked meals, and her tasty home-made applesauce has been enjoyed by many. For the majority of her long life, there was never a summer without a Rhoads beach vacation or a girl's weekend without a shopping spree.
Dot's life was filled with card clubs, arranging bus trips, painting, attending aerobics all the way through her 80s, and gathering friends and family. She was great at staying connected with those in her life. In her later years she filled her days with puzzles, looking through photo albums and watching home videos and just about every Hallmark movie there is.
Her children and grandchildren will always be grateful for the light she was in the family. There will always be a funny story to tell or a memory to share about "Mom," "Grandma," "Granny" and "Gigi." Her humor, her silly words and sayings, her made up songs - they will all be remembered and repeated fondly.
Visitation will be held at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 15205 McMullen Hwy, Cresaptown, MD, on Tuesday, Oct 14th from 4-7pm.
On Wednesday, visitation will be from 10-11am in the vestibule of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 15 N Smallwood St, Cumberland, MD, followed by a funeral service at 11am with Rev. Ryan Viands officiating.
Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown, PA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Cumberland, MD.