Elma Ray Rhodes, Sr

Elma Ray Rhodes, Sr., age 74, of Union Point, GA died Sunday, December 25, 2011 at the University Hospital in Augusta, GA. He was born on October 11, 1937 in Crawfordville, Georgia to the late William Raymond Rhodes, Sr. and Pauline Frances Kelly Rhodes. He was a 1955 graduate of Alexander Stephens Institute and married the former Dorothy Smith of Union Point on November 25, 1960. Ray served his country in the National Guard. He began his working career at Rhodes Brothers Feed and Seed, bought them out and renamed the business to Ray''s Feed Company. He also operated Ray''s Service Center in Crawfordville and owned Corner Cupboard Grocery Store. For 10 years he worked for Buck Moore Axle Company and later opened Ray''s Axle Company. He was a faithful member of Margarets Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and in various other leadership responsibilities. Ray enjoyed reading his Bible, which he read faithfully and spending time with his family and grandchildren. His hobbies were gardening and bird watching, especially humming birds.

In addition to his wife of 51 years, Dorothy Elizabeth Smith Rhodes of Union Point, GA, he is survived by six children, Christy Bennett and husband Corey of Thomaston, GA, Tammy Popham of Bogart, GA, Robin Doolittle and husband Lane of Monroe, GA, Amy Cox and husband Kevin of Dawsonville, GA, Ray Rhodes, Jr. and wife Lori of Dawsonville, GA and Andrew Rhodes and wife Anna of Bishop, GA; eighteen grandchildren, Rachel Lynn Rhodes, Hannah Kathleen Rhodes, Sarah Louise Rhodes, Mary Pauline Rhodes, Lydia Caroline Rhodes, Abigail Faith Rhodes, Elizabeth Nicole Popham, David Anthony Popham, Jr., Robert William Rhodes Bolz, Joshua Danforth Bolz, Joseph Graham Doolittle, Catherine Grace Doolittle, Rebekah Ruth Doolittle, Timothy Stevens Doolittle, Andrew Steven Rhodes, Jr., Micah Thomas Rhodes, Noah Ray Rhodes and Luke Christian Rhodes; a great grandchild, Brody Brett Schiff; many other relatives and friends; and his beloved chihuahua dog, Chance. He was preceded in death by his four siblings, Thelma Rhodes Godbee, William "Billy" Rhodes, Jr., Wilson Rhodes and Joe Rhodes; and a grandchild, Eliza Ray Bennett.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Margarets Grove Baptist Church, 1791 Margaret''s Grove Road, Crawfordville, GA 30631 with Rev. Ray Rhodes, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Margarets Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Robert Bolz, Joshua Bolz, Graham Doolittle, David Popham Jr., Kevin Cox, Lane Doolittle and Corey Bennett. Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Margarets Grove Baptist Church: Herbert Rhodes, Glenn Fennell, and Wayne Taylor. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night at McCommons Funeral Home. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us online at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the guest register.

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