Carol Elizabeth Bailey Rhodes

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Marvin Edward Rhodes, Jr., only 9 days prior. Also preceding her in death were her father and mother, Charles and Sylvia Bailey, and her father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Myra Rhodes.

Carol leaves behind her three sons, John Eric (Jeanne Lee), Keith Edward (Keri), and Brian Eugene. She is also survived by her two sisters, Betty Bailey Buckner and Charlotte Bailey Coleman, her four grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth, Jonathan Conrad, Kathryn Julia and Benjamin Andrew, and nieces and nephews.

Carol always had service in her heart and headed down the leadership path early in life. She attended Leinkauf Elementary School where she was honored with the DAR Good Citizen Award and Murphy High School in Mobile where she served as the President of the Presbyterian Youth Synod of Alabama. Graduating from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Carol served in multiple leadership positions culminating in Senior Class President in 1957. She was in four different honor societies and is listed in Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. She applied her leadership and business skills to Alabama Power after college. After having children, Carol was passionate about her work as Office Manager at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Northport, AL, where she willingly served the church members and ministers for many years. As a devoted member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for 55 years, Carol held the highest honors including President, Preceptor Gamma and 4th Degree Laureate. Carol committed her time and energy serving in multiple capacities at her church, Calvary Baptist in Tuscaloosa. Always supporting her sons' interests and talents, she also applied her leadership talents to the PTA, Cub Scouts and Central High School Soccer Boosters. Carol was an avid University of Alabama football and basketball fan, rarely missing a game. Her sons knew her as a loving, supportive mother who enveloped many others into her fold, welcoming and caring for them as if they were her own. Many will attest that Carol was a dedicated caregiver who never wavered. She was a fixture of strength filled with generosity, thoughtfulness and dedication to family and friends alike. Carol was always willing to walk the extra mile and served others with a ready smile. She will be remembered as a good and faithful servant with a willing heart. Her family will miss her greatly.

A funeral service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM.

The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, all gifts be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, 1121 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401.