Kay married Jack D. Rhodes on June 21, 1948, at First Christian Church in Odessa (now named Connection Christian Church). They had four children and resided in Penwell, Texas for 17 years, before moving to west Odessa in 1965. They were married for 65 years when Jack passed away in 2013.
Her first devotion was to Christ, and she claimed her faith as the foundation of her life. She was a dedicated church member who strongly believed that Sunday was the Lord’s Day. Throughout her life she enjoyed participating in various Sunday school classes and women’s’ Bible studies. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in the church choir. Out-of-town travel trips with “The Elderberries” of First Christian Church were special fellowship adventures that Kay and Jack enjoyed together after Jack’s retirement.
She was very skilled at sewing, oil painting, cooking, and baking. She was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed fishing, and bird hunting. Keeping up with her favorite sports teams was one of her passions. Her beloved Odessa High School Bronchos and the Houston Astros were tops among her favored teams. One of the highlights of her life was attending the Astros World Series final game in 2017. She was escorted in her wheelchair to witness the event. Additionally, she cheered at countless sporting events played by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Kay loved history and was obsessed with researching her family genealogy. Family meant the world to her, and she always put forth the effort to get extended family together whenever possible. She encouraged playing games like Trivia Pursuit and The Dictionary Game at holiday gatherings and family reunions. She was all about creating opportunities for laughter and enjoyment. From old to young, she encouraged everyone to participate in the fun.
During her children’s school years, Kay cooked a full breakfast every morning for the family, without fail. Eating meals together was important to her. She had the capacity to show a deep interest in those she knew and to those whose cause touched her heart. She had an exceptional affection for Native Americans and donated very often to their cause. Kay was a true patriot and politically active her entire life. She was not timid in telling you that she was a “yellow dog” Democrat.
She immensely enjoyed family vacations, weekend lake visits, and eye-opening adventures to Bear Canyon Ranch. She cherished having her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by her side. Kay lovingly supported her husband and helped him maintain their twenty acres of property in west Odessa for 46 years. She was a selfless person committed to doing good works in every aspect of her life. Her faithfulness to God and dedication to family planted a cornerstone affecting multiple generations.
Kay is survived by her sons, Eddie Rhodes and wife Kathy and Glen Rhodes, all of Odessa; daughter, Kim Davis and husband Mario Vitale of Solon, OH; sister, Sandra Martin and husband Robert of Round Rock; 7 grandchildren, Joel Rhodes and wife Brenda, Jennie Monday and husband Rob, Trey Taylor and wife Tara, Ross Taylor and wife Marcy, Holly Tate and husband Jeff, Kyle Davis and Thomas Rhodes; and 10 great grandchildren, Ava, Lily, Cole, Thea, Claire, Carson, Nolan, Blake, Gage and Kinsley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack D. Rhodes; daughter, Becky Taylor; brother, Clark Brewer; and sister, Betty Kindle.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, October 28, from 6-8 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home located at 601 N Alleghaney Ave in Odessa. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 29, at 11 AM at Connection Christian Church, 4241 Tanglewood Ln in Odessa, followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Mario Vitale, Kyle Davis, Joel Rhodes, Rob Monday, Trey Taylor, and Ross Taylor will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, organizations that Kay thought worthy of donations:
Running Strong for American Indian Youth (indianyouth.org) and The Carter Foundation (cartercenter.org).
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