Charlotte (Cook) Rhoades

Charlotte (Cook) Rhoades passed away on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 at Wilmington Nursing and Rehab with her daughters and “favorite” son-in-law by her side.

Charlotte, the daughter of the late Carl and Evelyn (Wilson) Cook, was born on October 14, 1928 in Clinton County near New Antioch. She graduated from Wayne High School in 1946. She married Wayne Esmond Rhoades on February 5, 1947.  They were married 54 years before his death in 2001.

She leaves behind three daughters, Vicki (William) Temple, Patricia Rhoades and Barbara Rhoades, all of Wilmington.  Grandma will be missed by her loving grandchildren, Julie (Mike) Schweinberg, Jenifer Michael Burns, William Todd (Danielle) Temple and granddaughter- in- law, Kara Priest. Her great grandchildren that made her smile and called her “Mimi” are triplets, Shelby, Dylan, and Sydney Michael, Devin Twine, Courtney Temple, Caryn Twine, Ben Schweinburg, Rachelle Priest, and Alicen Temple. Additionally, she is survived by a cherished brother, William (Sabra) Cook of Woodland, CA, a sister-in-law, Glenna Cook of Twin Falls, ID and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Charlotte was preceded in death by a son, Barry Wayne Rhoades; a daughter, Linda Chaney; a grandson, David Scott Priest; and a brother Carl Cook, Jr.

Charlotte’s life was centered around her family.   Her early married life as a devoted mother and wife were spent in Reesville.   She gardened and canned her own produce, sewed dresses (and Halloween costumes) for her daughters, and served as a PTO officer and 4-H advisor.  As the girls got older, she and Wayne moved to Wilmington where she began loving and serving her church family as a Sunday School teacher, youth sponsor and director of the Preschool Department at the Wilmington Church of Christ.  In 1967 Wayne purchased a Sohio station and the family moved to Leesburg.  Charlotte served side by side with him as she handled the bookwork and accounts and made daily runs for auto parts.  They also were instrumental in gathering a group of Christians to form the Leesburg Church of Christ.  After Barbie was born, they moved to Sabina and eventually she began driving the school bus for disabled people at the Nike Center.  They became a part of her family and even during her retirement years, she would fondly embrace them when she saw them in the community.   She was very gracious about spending the last six and a half years at Wilmington Nursing and Rehab where patients and caring staff treated her like family.  Community Care Hospice joined in the circle of family this last year. Thus her family widened to become a full circle of giving and receiving love.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life and to hear her testimony about the love she is looking forward to experiencing in heaven on Friday, Oct, 13, 2017, 11:00 am at the Wilmington Church of Christ. Visitation will be prior to the service between 9:30-11:00 am.   Burial will follow at the family burial plot in New Antioch Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nike Center (Attn: Friends of the Nike Center - 4425 State Route 730, Wlmington, Ohio 45177)

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