Florene Rhodes

Florene Rhodes, age 94, and a resident of the Pineville community died Sunday, February 26, 2023, following a brief illness.

The family will gather at 10am Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the OTT & LEE Funeral Home Chapel in Forest with graveside services to follow in the Pineville-Leaf River Cemetery, Louin, MS at 11am, Reverend Kelly Pope will officiate.  Visitation will be held from 5pm-8pm Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at the funeral home.

Florene was born on September 25, 1928, in Smith County to her parents, Willie Jones and Mackie Gould Jones. She graduated from Pineville High School and attended Jackson Commercial College. She married Edward J. Rhodes, who was in the military at the time.  They were often transferred to different bases throughout the states and later overseas.  After his 20-year service in the military, they returned to make their home in Forest where Florene was active in the community becoming a business owner,  and was very active in local civic affairs.  She was a member of the Carr United Methodist Church.  Florene enjoyed painting and loved flowers, as she had a love for art and nature. She always enjoyed helping people and making her community a better place to live and work.   She loved her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edward J. Rhodes, a son Joe Rhodes of Pensacola, FL, and several siblings.

Survivors include 2 children; Pat Lewis of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Chris Rhodes of Pulaski.  She also leaves behind a legacy of 7 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Buck Rhodes, Matthew Risher, David Podvia Robert Podvia, Mitch Kuhn, and Joey Rhodes.