Anne Rhodes Lassiter

Anne Forrest Rhodes Lassiter was born on October 20, 1928 at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas to Anne Queen Wilson Rhodes and Lt. Edward Lowe Rhodes. Anne passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The Wilson/Rhodes families have along history of serving in the Army after attending West Point. Her grandfather “Jingles” was a ‘Horse Soldier’. While stationed in Brownsville, TX at just 5 years old, her father died. Her mother and two brothers then went to live with their maternal grandfather’s family who was also in the Army. She has always called herself an “Army Brat”.

At 15 she graduated from Brownsville Texas High School and became a cadet nurse. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1948. She eventually, after service in France, retired as a 1st Lt.. In 1962 she met her future husband, (her boss), widowed Dr. James W. Lassiter. By this time, she was a nurse anesthetist. She married on February 25, 1967 and instantly became the mother of two teenage sons.

In 1973 Anne and Dr. Lassiter became active in the pro-life movement. In 1985 she and Dr. Lassiter co-founded Tex–Life Foundation. Anne was ardently pro-life and in the late 80’s and early 90’s was part of the ‘Body of Christ Rescue’ movement protesting abortion from Austin to Corpus Christi, Texas. She, along with priests, nuns, and Christians of all denominations, were arrested several times at peaceful abortion clinic sit-ins. Mothers were helped and babies lives were saved. Anne, together with the other saints, spent some week-ends in jail.

Her favorite hobby was fishing and she loved going to the beach; especially spending time going to their beach condo and fishing on their boat. She also loved to travel.

She was very involved with the Ladies of Charity and St. Vincent de Paul Store. She served as President with both and served on the Boards for many years.

Anne loved Jesus. She died as she lived; with her heart and mind, thoughts and words consumed with God, family and friends. The staff at her retirement home knew her as a “godly woman” who talked to them all the time about the Lord. A devout Catholic, the Mass, Adoration, Rosary and Chaplet were the rhythm of her daily life. She was a great intellect and an avid reader. She particularly loved to talk about politics and religion! But she could converse about anything: literature, history, the arts, music and all current events.

Anne was a great philanthropist. She had a merciful and empathetic heart. All her life she gave generously and without hesitation whenever she saw or heard of someone in need. Her love and mercy extended to God’s four-legged creatures.

She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. James W. Lassiter, son James W. Lassiter, Jr.; Infant still- born daughter, Mary Emily Lassiter; grandson James Adam Ramsey Lassiter, and brother Edwards L. ‘Dusty’ Rhodes.

Anne is survived by her brother A. Harrison W. ‘Rip” Rhodes and wife Joanne, her son Gerald ‘Gary’ and wife Patricia; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 nieces and 2 nephews.

Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a Rosary at 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. Funeral Mass will be 12:00 pm on Monday, May 10, 2021 at St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E 10th St., Austin, Texas. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.