GILBERT RHODES

Gilbert Rhodes (Gill) was born in DeWitt, Va., on Sept. 23, 1953, to Leslie Colin and Annie Crittendon Rhodes. Gilbert entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.

Gill received his high school diploma and communications certification while he was in the U.S. Army, where he served for nine years. It was during this time that he learned and perfected his talent and skill of working with electronic and telecommunications equipment. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, Gill joined the U.S. Navy and subsequently retired from active duty. Gill proudly served his country and had the opportunity to travel the world. When he was in the U.S. Navy, he was stationed on a destroyer and tracked the places he visited on a life-sized map that he proudly displayed.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Gill relocated to Baltimore, where he worked as a telecommunications technician at various telecommunications companies in the Baltimore metropolitan area. He was also an entrepreneur and owned his own telecommunications company known as CG Tel.

Gill married Carla Foster and became the stepfather of Nakeelah Moore.

Next to loving life itself, Gill loved, loved, loved to fish. He name was and will remain synonymous with fishing. He was instrumental in introducing the sport to Kenan Moore Jr., his wife's first grandchild. Gill also enjoyed playing the quarter slot machines at casinos in Delaware and West Virginia. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing on Sunday afternoons after he returned from his weekly trip from the commissary at Fort Meade.

Gill's father and mother preceded him in passing, as well as a brother, Charles (wife, Mary Ann Rhodes), and a sister, Pearl Rhodes Jones.

He leaves to cherish his wonderful memory his wife, Carla Foster Rhodes; stepdaughter, Nakeelah Moore and her family (husband, Kenan O. Moore; children, Kenan O. Moore Jr. and Kendyll O. Moore); brothers, Leslie Rhodes (wife, Okie), Everett Rhodes (wife, Montel), Crawley Rhodes (wife, Yvonne); sister, Mary Rhodes Branch; and a host of nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the McKenney Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home with the the Rev. Alvin Gurley officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held at a later date at the Arlington National Cemetery. Public viewing will be held on Friday at the McKenney Chapel.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home, 11107 Doyle Blvd., McKenney, 804-863-4411.