Christobel “Chris” Rhodes, 94, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 9, surrounded by her loving family. Born August 27, 1929 to the late Richard and Sudie Lewis Pierce, she grew up in Sneads Ferry and graduated from Dixon High School in 1947. On July 16, 1948, she married the love of her life, Ireland Rhodes.
They moved to Jacksonville in 1969. As a proud civil servant, she worked at Camp Lejeune from 1947 until her retirement in 1984. Chris loved to cook and was famous for her home-style and delicious meals.
Her many grandkids and family members always enjoyed the treats she made. Her many talents included sewing and crocheting, where she expressed her love by creating unique and beautiful home items and afghans for her family. These remain treasures among her family members.
Rarely a day existed at Chris’s cozy, loving home when family was not around. Family descended upon her home to visit her throughout the years, as her home embodied a peace known to overflow with love and comfort. Grandkids and great grandkids adored their “Grammy” and visited for weeks at a time just to “hang out” and be spoiled by her love.
Her willing availability to her family never wavered. Gentle hugs, words of encouragement, and nuggets of wisdom will forever be her legacy. Chris remained a long-time member of Brookwood Baptist Church.
For years, her active participation in providing meals for church members, as well as Jacksonville’s senior citizens, provided great joy to her. The Fellowship Hall provided Chris with both a sense of belonging and a source of pride. Though she has left us to unite with other family in Heaven, she will always remain a family symbol of deep and lasting goodness, selflessness, and unconditional love.
Chris is preceded in passing by her husband, Ireland Rhodes, her parents, and four siblings. She leaves behind a loving daughter, Rebecca Olguin, three grandchildren, Jamie McCarthy (Denny), Shannon Shimkoski (Denny), and Derek Olguin (Salina), 10 great-grand children, Connor, Holly, Aidan, Maeve, Ella, Ava, Lily, Josie, Sylas, and Brayden, and a great-great grandson, Micah. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family members whom she loved as her own.
Special thanks to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and its amazing caregivers with whom we could not have weathered this journey alone: Jeannie, Alana, Laura, and Trammel. Our gratitude to these earthly angels will forever be in our hearts. A graveside service will be held August 15, 2024 at 1 p.
m. at Onslow Memorial Park. Johnson Funeral Home of Jacksonville is honored to serve the Rhodes family during this difficult time.
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