She was born on June 07, 1919, in Batesville, Mississippi, as the youngest of ten children. On March 24, 1940, she married Miles F. (Dusty) Rhodes. They moved to Forest Park in 1954 when Dusty was transferred to Atlanta with Delta Air Lines.
Celia was an accomplished cook and it was her life's purpose to comfort and nourish people through her culinary expertise. This led her to landing a job in the lunchroom of Forest Park High School for many years, and ultimately to the position of Manager of the Morrow High School lunchroom from which she retired.
Known as Nanny to all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, it was always a given that good food was available in abundance at Nanny's house.
Celia is predeceased by her husband, Dusty, her daughter, Janice Lynn Rhodes, and her grandson, Andrew R. Smith and son-in-law Jack Kennedy. Survivors include four daughters, Becky Smith (Allen), North Augusta, SC; Sandy Hallman (Jim), Owensboro, KY; Donna Kennedy (Smyrna, GA); and Susan Burns (Andy), Fairburn, GA, four grandsons, six great granddaughters and three great grandsons.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, March 23, from 4:00-6:00pm at Tara Garden Chapel, 681 North Ave, Jonesboro, GA 30236. Service will be on Saturday, March 24, at 11:00am at Tara Garden Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Celia's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.
