Ruth Lee Rhodes 1948-2019

Ruthie was born Dec. 7, 1948, in Booneville, Miss., to J.C. and Elizabeth Young McGaha. She was the oldest of six children.

The family relocated to Ohio, where she attended Youngstown City Schools and graduated from The Rayen School. While attending Youngstown State University, she met Turhan Cecil Rhodes and they were married in 1969. To this union, two children were born, Turhan C. Rhodes II and Jevon Courtenay Rhodes.

Ruthie accepted Christ early in life at Little Wonder Fire Baptist Holiness Church, where she was an active member. She later attended New Hope Baptist in Ohio and New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Texas.

Shortly after the birth of Jevon, the family relocated to Texas, where she was a seamstress for NASA Space Center, was the first African-American to graduate from the Respiratory Department at San Jancinto College in Pasedena, Texas, and also was employed as a respiratory therapist at Texas Children’s Hospital, retiring with 30 years of service in 2013.

Ruthie had a very generous heart. She loved to dance, draw, sew, grow her plants and care for children. She was an inspiration to so many and had an infectious laugh that would brighten up the room. She loved her hats and being a fashionable trendsetter.

She leaves to cherish memories of her, sons, Turhan (Danielle) and Jevon (Tracy) Rhodes; sisters, Mary Speed, Betty (Roosevelt) Blackwell, Delores Kennedy and Terrica (Cornell) Wilson; aunts, Luberta Spencer, Lucille (William) Warren and Lucille (Robert) Shinault; grandchildren, King David, Jevon C. II and Jaxon Rhodes; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Oliver and Danny; stepson, Kevin Harvey Sr.; and grandson, Jesse Carson Rhodes.

A private service was held Dec. 7, 2019, in LaPorte, Texas. An Ohio memorial will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the F. D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

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