Josephine A. Rhodes, 90, passed in her home in Marble Falls, Texas on November 18th, 2022 in the care of her loving husband Harrison Rip Rhodes. She was born on August 13th, 1932 to Joseph William Matacia and Lenna Marie Reynolds in Columbus, Ohio.
Josephine was someone who loved bringing people together, always being the facilitator for the holidays or offering up her lovely home off the coast of North Padre Island to immediate family and friends to spend picturesque summer getaways from 2004 to 2013.
She loved getting her hands dirty in the kitchen, bringing fresh-cooked meals to the table inspired by her rich Italian culture and Midwest upbringing, it was an absolute delight to find yourself seated at the table while sharing hearth and laughter as everyone could catch up and reminisce about their lives and cherished ones.
A passionate follower of her Catholic faith she selflessly dedicated and uplifted those within her community and immediate surroundings. She gave up her job with the State of Texas Real Estate Commission, to offer herself as a bookkeeper to Saint Catherine of Sienna for 18 years. She’d deeply involve herself within Marriage Encounters, presenting marriage enrichment weekends for 10 years bringing back from the brink many troubled husbands' and spouses' relationships.
Within the last 12 years, Josephine endured many health complications including Diabetes and Cancer as early as 2010. She never wavered in the face of these afflictions, continuing to be a strong member of the church, a homemaker, and the hostess for all family holiday gatherings. She was too proud to let anything hold her back from living the fullest life and being a pillar of her family and the local community.
She is survived by her three sons and daughter, Jerry Walker Bell, Ricky Edwin Bell, Harrison Wilson Rhodes Jr., and Anne Marie Rhodes. She’d said her greatest joy was being a loving wife to Harrison Rip Rhodes for 64 unforgettable years. She had a promising outlook on the future with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was Grandmother Joanne or Mama to most for all the loving support and unwavering strength that she possessed. The family is forever grateful for the accommodations that her son, Harrison Wilson Rhodes Jr. was able to provide, allowing her to continue on her next journey in life within the comfort of her home, and under the compassionate eyes of all her loved ones.
The funeral will be a traditional Catholic mass, which will take place on December 10th, 2022 at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, 105 RM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654
The service will have a viewing of her urn and a portrait in her honor starting at 10 AM and a Family Reception at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Helping Center of Marble Falls, an organization Josephine felt strongly about.
The Helping Center, P.O. Box 412 Marble Falls, TX 78654 or https://www.helpingcenter.org/#give
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