Col. (Ret.) Miller F. Rhodes MD

Colonel (RET) Miller Franklin Rhodes, MD was born January 6, 1943, in Orangeburg, SC. He was the youngest child of the late Reverend John D., Sr. and Mrs. Emma Williams Rhodes. Colonel Rhodes departed this life on April 14, 2025 in El Paso, TX.

Butch (as he was affectionately called) graduated from Wilkinson High School in 1960 and received a bachelor’s from South Carolina State College (now University) in 1964. Colonel Rhodes received his commission from South Carolina State University Army ROTC in the same year. He initially served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer before leaving the service and attending medical school. Miller graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1973. His specialized area of medicine was Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), head and neck surgery. While serving his country, Dr. Rhodes was employed at William Beaumont Army Medical Center for 16 years in the position of Chief of Otolaryngology. He retired for a second time in 2020 from Texas Tech University Medical Center where he served in the capacity of Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery. In 1994, Colonel (RET) Rhodes was inducted into and became a member of South Carolina State University’s Military Science (ROTC) Hall of Fame.

Butch was married to the love of his life, on May 17, 1969, the former Ruby Mae Bomar, and to this union two children were born.

Miller was predeceased by his siblings John D. Rhodes, Jr., MD; Victoria R. McGraw; Rose R. Dannelly; Ruth R. Delaney; and Beverly R. Hawkins.

He is survived by his wife Ruby Mae Bomar Rhodes, a son, Miller Franklin (Melanie) Rhodes, II of Houston, TX; a daughter, Kimberly M. Rhodes (special friend, Jermaine O’Neil) of Richmond, VA; a granddaughter, Dylan Sage Rhodes of Houston, TX; brother, Robert S. (Gwen) Rhodes, MD, of West Bloomfield, MI; a brother-in-law, former Senator Charles Dannelly of Charlotte, NC; three sisters-in-laws, Dr. Iris D. Bomar of Orangeburg, SC; Barbara B. Floyd of Spartanburg, SC; and Harriet B. (Raleigh) McEntire of Spartanburg, SC. He also leaves to cherish fond memories, many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, dear friends, a surrogate daughter, Tonia (Sean) Heck of El Paso, TX; and three surrogate granddaughters, Alana Heck and Alexa Heck both of El Paso, TX and Inayah O’Neil of Richmond, VA.

Dr. Rhodes also mentored many young people into whom he poured his encouragement, advice, support and wisdom.

Dr. Rhodes was very competitive! He was an avid sports enthusiast being a participant in varsity high school and college basketball, football and tennis; a coach and a spectator. He was a SCSU Bulldog ready to “do or dare!”

Colonel Rhodes believed in the importance and power of EDUCATION and ALL THE POSSIBILITIES associated with it!!!

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the South Carolina State University Foundation in the name of Colonel (RET) Miller Franklin Rhodes, MD for the Academic Scholarship Fund, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street, NE, Orangeburg, SC 29117.