Lena Bawden Rhodes

On October 24, 2022, Lena Margaret Bawden Rhodes, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great

grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully at the age of 80, surrounded by her family in

Mobile, Alabama.

Lena, known as “Granny” to her large family, was born in Mobile, Alabama on September 6,

1942 to William Wharton Bawden Jr and Mildred Lucile Cooper Bawden. Lena graduated from

Murphy High School in 1960. She was a valued employee of Kimberly Clark, formally known as

Scott Paper Company, for many years until she retired. Granny was a talented seamstress and

loved to sew many things for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed quilting, baking,

and spending time with loved ones. Granny especially enjoyed making memories with friends

and family during the huge Christmas Eve celebration she hosted each year.

She is survived by her husband, James, of 42 years, children Stephanie Conklan, Mindy (Michael)

Hovell, Thomas “Dickey” (Tammy) Downey, James (Cheryl) Rhodes, fifteen grandchildren, Joshua Brown, Jandi (Jeremy) Hall, Shelley Joyner, Jessica (Tim Adams) Joyner, Brittani (William) Persinger, HaLeigh (Dante Zarella) Downey, Thomas (Mary Catherine) Hovell, Thomas “TJ” Downey, Heather (Eugene) DeBartolo, Emily Rhodes, Kayla (Colter) Bradley, Emily-Ann Downey, Caison (Lainey) Heubach, Chastity (Nick) Miniard, Coalbree (Nick) Bishop, 30 great grandchildren, sister Tuttie Holt, nieces, nephews, cousins, best friend Shelley Ann Glass, beloved caretaker Mrs. Charlotte Reed, other relatives, and many friends.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents William and Mildred Bawden, Jr. and brother

Deacon William “Bill” W. Bawden, III.

Celebration of life will be held on Thursday October 27th at Radney’s Funeral Home (3155 Dauphin St, Mobile AL 36606). Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time of 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens.

She will be remembered and cherished forever by those she left behind.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to HDSA Foundation at hdsa.org.

Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.