Rev. Rodgers Rhodes

1934 - 2025

The Rev. Rodgers Rhodes went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.
He was a loving husband, father, papaw, uncle and friend. He loved his fur babies.
Rodgers always loved to plant the most beautiful flowers in the world. Tulips were his favorite. He loved to crack walnuts in his rocking chair on the front porch. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Rodgers was a Godly man who preached for the Lord and taught us all about the Lord. He read his Bible and prayed daily. The Lord blessed us with him for 91 wonderful years. There will never be another one like him.
Rodgers retired from Coats America after 35 years of service. He was a blessing to all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. He was a member of Sunnyside Baptist Church.
He was the son of the late Garfield and Lonia Garrett Rhodes. He was also preceded in death by a son, Christopher Gamble; a brother, Roy Rhodes; sisters, Tina Pendergrass, Stella Rhodes and Alta Murphy; great-grandchildren, Appalonn Ashe and Lincoln Ashe; wives, Shirley Elrod Rhodes and Linda Phillips Rhodes; daughter-in-law, Carol Rhodes; and Scottie Harris, whom he considered a son. Rodgers was the last surviving sibling in his family.
Surviving are his kids, Donnie and Debbie Rhodes, Connie and Phil Evans, Eunice and Dennis Ashe, Mitchell Rhodes, Sonia Rhodes and Bryan; step kids, Tammy (Juan) Valle, who was just like a daughter and Michael and Jamie; 11 grandkids; 18 great-grandkids; his sister's four grandkids like his grandkids; special niece and nephew, Rosie and Tommy Rogers; and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Townson-Rose Murphy Chapel with the Revs. Dennis Ashe and Johnny Burrell officiating. Burial was in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in the Wolf Creek area. Pallbearers were Brandi Vince, Sissy Ashe, Ford Ashe, Brother Ashe, Jack Lewis, Stephen Gamble and Michael Gamble. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Allen, Willis Whitaker, Nick Gamble, Logan Gamble, Andrew Valle, Chris Searcy, Tommy Rogers, Bryan Galloway and David Rhodes.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Rev. Rodgers Rhodes to Meals on Wheels, 69 Alpine St., Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the Rhodes family at townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.