Bobbie W. Rhodes

Mrs. Bobbie W. Rhodes, 99, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully at the Lake Haven Assisted Facility on Saturday, November 7, 2020. A graveside service for Mrs. Rhodes will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 11th, in Luverne Emmaus Cemetery with Brother Jason Holladay delivering the eulogy and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing.

Mrs. Rhodes grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, and graduated from high school there. Growing up in the town made famous by author, Harper Lee, allowed her to not only know Lee very well, but also the many townspeople who became the basis for characters in Lee’s famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. After high school, Mrs. Rhodes went on to attend Massey Draughn Business School and worked as a bank teller for many years. After marrying the love of her life, Robert W. Rhodes Sr, they would move to Luverne to raise their family and become cherished members of their community. She joined the choir at Luverne United Methodist Church, and sang her praises to the Lord with them for several decades.

She was a woman of many talents. She excelled with her cooking and baking, and her family considered everything she made as the best there was. She also enjoyed reading, listening to her favorite jazz & big band singers, traveling and cheering on the Auburn Tigers. She was especially talented in her creative pursuits, from pottery and painting to sewing, knitting, & crocheting. Over the years, many a child went to bed with one of her tooth fairy pillows or carried one down the aisle for a wedding.

Mrs. Rhodes was affectionately known as “Nants Mama,” thanks to her first grandson who was attempting to call her “Nancy’s Mama,” and the name stuck for over 55 years. There was nothing she cherished more in this world than her family. She was fortunate to live a long & full life which allowed her to enjoy not only her grandchildren, but also her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She could entertain them for hours with stories from her almost 100 years of life. She was never shy about sharing her opinions and wisdom with them either, so they learned many valuable lessons over the years. She was beloved by everyone who knew her, and things will never be the same now that she is gone. However, her loved ones will cherish all those memories they made over a lifetime with her, and take comfort in knowing that she has reunited with her husband in Heaven with their Lord.

Mrs. Rhodes was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Rhodes Sr; two grandsons, James Robert Rhodes and Josh Brandon Holladay; her parents, Julius Sidney & Georgia Byrd Wiggins; and two sisters, Tina W. Hare and Mary W. Speer.
She is survived by her three children, Becky (Pat) Watkins, Bill (DiAnne) Rhodes, and Nancy (Pat) Andrews; seven grandchildren, Rob (Jenny) Watkins, Mike (Carmen) Watkins, Amanda (Matt) Kovich, Mark (Amy) Rhodes, Jason (Ashley) Holladay, Carrie (David) Whetstine, and Justin Andrews; thirteen great-grandchildren, Misty, Sarah, Rachel, Andy, & Jake Watkins, John Robert, Anna Katherine, Jeremiah, & Josiah Holladay, Sara & Matthew Kovich, Ben Rhodes, and Vada Andrews; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Active pallbearers will be Jason Holladay, Mike Watkins, Mark Rhodes, Pat Andrews, John Robert Holladay, Jeremiah Holladay, and Justin Andrews. Honorary pallbearers will be Josiah Holladay, Benjamin Rhodes, Matthew Kovich, Jake Watkins, and Andy Watkins.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Lake Haven Assisted Facility for all of the special care and attention they gave Mrs. Rhodes during her years there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to either Lake Haven or one’s favorite charity.