Joseph Donald Rhodes

He was born on September 9th, 1944 in Asheville, NC to the late Walter Lee Rhodes Sr. and Ethel Louise Swann.

After relocating to Charlotte as a teenager in the late 1950s, Don started working in the construction industry as a commercial painter. For nearly twenty years he had his own successful painting business, “One Call Does All Co. Inc.,” and during that time was often contracted out by McGowan Painting Contractors as well.

Don’s early life was characterized by often feeling lost, and he had a bit of a rebellious streak too. He was not proud of the path he was on, but at that point in his life, he didn’t yet have the motivation to improve. That all changed, though, when Don was in his 60s and one of his sisters had a heart transplant. He was so terribly worried about her and searched for any possible way he could ensure she would make it out alive. In that time of desperation, Don prayed to God and asked for Him to keep his sister alive. He promised, that if his sister survived the surgery, he would turn his life around. That day, and the few days that followed, were some of the most important days of Don’s life.

As a great relief to the whole family, his sister survived her surgery, and the very next day Don set to work on becoming a Pastor. He grew to know the Bible on the deepest level, and it quickly became a great passion of his. In the years that followed he became ordained and eventually opened his own church – Heavenly Light Baptist Church off Nations Ford Road in Charlotte. Don poured his heart and soul into that church; he shared the word of God with all who would listen and worked hard to keep the lights on in the small neighborhood church. Unfortunately, after a few years of ministry, the church was forced to close its doors after the rent and upkeep became too expensive. Despite this, Don kept the faith and remained as devoted as ever to spreading God’s love. In the last few years of his life, he attended To God Be The Glory Ministry in Charlotte.

While Don’s favorite pastime was always ministering, he was also an old car enthusiast, and he especially loved fixing them up to sell. Other beloved hobbies of his included racing at the dirt track and watching the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Braves play.

Don was a very private man but one thing everyone always knew about him was that he loved his family so much. Though he never had kids, he viewed his nieces and nephews as his own and was always delighted to spend time with them. He was a generous, humble servant who always tried his best to live what he preached. He had a notably colorful and strong personality, but he always sought to do right by others, often putting himself second if it meant he could help someone in need.

Those left to honor Don’s memory include his loving brother, Walter Lee Rhodes Jr.; and his thirteen deeply cherished nieces and nephews.

He has been reunited in Heaven with his parents, Walter and Ethel; and his three sisters, Evelyn Marie Roberts, Barbara Wilkes, and Louise Hoover.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 2:00pm until 3:00pm on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte. The memorial service will be conducted at 3:00pm in the Paul Helton Chapel at the funeral home, with Pastor Kenny Setzer to officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s name to To God Be The Glory Ministry.