Sarah Mulligan Rhodes

Sarah Mulligan Rhodes, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2016 following a two year battle with lung cancer. She was born on July 22, 1933 to the late Leo and Tina Mulligan. Sarah graduated from Central High School in 1952. She began work with AT&T/BellSouth (formally known as Southern Bell) as a switch board operator. She worked way up to engineering clerk during her 35 years with AT&T/BellSouth. Through the years she was very active with several charitable organizations and community services. She loved her time with the Police Explorers. The organization would provide Christmas gifts to needed families. Sarah would dress as Mrs. Claus and ride around with the different teams to deliver the gifts and put a smile on all the children faces. She served 10 years as president of the Commonwealth Neighborhood Association. During her reign Sarah was instrumental in saving Firehouse 8 by obtaining funds to make needed updates. She was able to update the kitchen with all stainless steel appliances and made cosmetic updates to the firehouse with painting and new concrete driveways. She also obtained funding to revitalize Veteran's Park. She personally helped with the selection of all the playground equipment and obtained funds to clean up and revitalize the restrooms and community room. Sarah was active in her AT&T/Bellsouth retirement group and she served on her Central High class newsletter committee. Sarah was also involved in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Committee for post 1160. Sarah's most prideful work was the work she did for Commonwealth United Methodist Church. She was proud of the church that her family had helped build from a tent to the prominent building it is today. She was a charter member and participated on several committees. She loved to decorate for all occasions and to help with all the activities. Sarah organized and managed a couple of very successful yard sales that benefited the church and its Hinton team. The Hinton team would take trips to the rural mountain areas to perform manual labor to benefit the poor in those communities. Sarah took great joy and pride in her decorations. She would decorate for all occasions for the church and her retirement union. She also loved decorating her home for Halloween and Christmas. She especially loved her Christmas Snow Village that she would set up every year for all to enjoy!!!! She really enjoyed allowing people to come by and view all the decorations. Preceded in death by her husband, George “Leonard” Rhodes; brothers, Leo Mulligan Jr. and Ben Mulligan; sister, Margaret M. Brumfield. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Billy Rainey; grandchildren and spouses, Jessica and Bobby Bishop, Stephanie and Alex Miller, and BJ Rainey; great-grandchildren, Makayla Bishop and Kurtis Miller; brother, Pat Mulligan; step-son, George Rhodes Jr.; and adopted sons, Moses Halterman and Rick Dyson. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 22, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Commonwealth United Methodist Church, 2434 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with interment immediately following in Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Commonwealth UMC. Condolences for the family can be made at www.mcewenfs.com.