James Rhodes, Sr.

James Max Rhodes, Sr., 86, of Brevard, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. A native of Miller’s Creek, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Smith Isaac and Zilla Cole Rhodes. One of thirteen, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Pearl, Sadie, Toyce, Claire, Jackie, Faye, Billie, Infant daughter, and Judy

James, known as Jim, learned the value of hard work at an early age working with his father on the family farm.  At the age of sixteen, Jim left the farm and enlisted with the US Air Force to serve his country during the Korean War as an aircraft mechanic based in France.

After an honorable discharge, Jim moved to Brevard and met and fell in love with Joyce Love Raxter.  Jim and Joyce married in 1955 and devoted their lives to raising four sons, all of whom earned engineering degrees from North Carolina State University.

In addition to raising his four boys, Jim worked at DuPont for over 30 years, retiring as a Senior Site Operations Manager.  Jim and Joyce were longtime active members of Carr’s Hill Baptist Church, where both sang in the choir.

Whether at work or at home, Jim put others before himself.  Jim and Joyce enjoyed retirement with their family until Joyce suffered a stroke on vacation at Myrtle Beach.  Jim never left his wife’s side and took care of her for over ten years until she went to be with the Lord in April, 2019 despite overcoming his own health issues.

Jim’s selflessness, tireless work ethic, and seemingly endless compassion will live on through his survivors, including his siblings Ella Mae (Nick), Velma (Jim), Tommy (Phyllis); sons, James Max Rhodes, Jr. (Susan), of Florence, South Carolina, Mark Rhodes (Kerrie), of Cumming, Georgia, Jeff Rhodes (Sabrina), of Brevard, and Kelly Rhodes (Kristie) of Raleigh; grandchildren Joshua Rhodes, Emma Gainey (Nick), Sofia Rhodes, Mia Shook-Rhodes, Sadie Shook-Rhodes, and Jeremiah Shook; and his sister-in-law, Frances Bryson (Dick).

There was so much more to Jim than can be written in an obituary. Suffice it to say, he was a gentleman in every sense of the word and will be missed by many.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2020, at Carr’s Hill Baptist Church, with Rev. Shane Hardesty officiating.

To watch the livestream of the service at Carr’s hill Baptist church, use the link:   https://www.facebook.com/carrshillbaptist/

To leave a condolence for the family of Jim Rhodes, visit “obituaries” at www.moore-fh.com.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is caring for the family.