Passing of the Mother of John Rhodes
Posted Monday, November 18, 2013 09:18 PM
 
Sallie Beal Rhodes
September 10, 1921 - November 17, 2013
Raleigh, NC

Sallie Beal Rhodes from Raleigh, NC, age 92, passed away peacefully on November 17 , 2013. She departed this world with all the grace and dignity by which she lived. She was born in Raleigh, NC on September 10, 1921 to the late Nathaniel and Bessie Beal. She was in the first graduating class of Hugh Morson High School, and was one of the first to graduate from the RN Program at Rex Hospital Nursing School in Raleigh in 1942, where she spent many years caring for others. In fact, her nurse's cape resides in the Rex Hospital Museum. Sallie's career lead her to "the first infant care unit" at Wake Memorial Hospital in Raleigh and she eventually retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Materials and Test Lab.

While in nursing school, she met the love of her life. Sallie wed Travis B. Rhodes, and they have celebrated 71 years of marriage. They have two children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Sallie was a long time member of the Wake County Shrinettes and along with her husband, a member of the Wake County Shrine Club and St. Andrews Methodist Church in Garner. As a member of the first graduating class of Hugh Morson High School, the octogenarian graduates of Raleigh's long-gone school would gather at the soda fountain at Pearson Street Pharmacy on Fridays to eat, remember and celebrate life! Their story was captured in this News Observer article in July, 2010.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/24/595605_its-personal-at-person-street.html
She is survived by her devoted husband, Travis B. Rhodes; daughter Kim Rhodes Cottle and husband Michael of Garner, NC; son The Honorable John T. Rhodes and wife Terri of Myrtle Beach, SC; granddaughters Michelle Cottle of Garner, NC and Zanne Rhodes of Charleston, SC; grandsons Trae Rhodes and Chad Rhodes both of Charleston, SC. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and very special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother and five sisters, Sallie was the last remaining child.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of UniHealth Post Acute Care on Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh for their love, support and care for Sallie over the past few years. A special thanks to Julia who was by her bedside when she took her journey.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum. Funeral arrangements are handled by Mitchell's Funeral Home on Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh.

Sallie always put others first, and made sure everyone was cared for during their time of need. Because of her giving nature, Sallie and the family request all memorials be sent to: The Shriners Hospital for Children - Greenville, Memorial Gifts, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605. Please include "Sallie B. Rhodes" on the memo line of any contribution.

Published in The Sun News on Nov. 19, 2013

Randy Jennings
Band Company 1963
Hometown "Myrtle Beach SC"