Carrol McConaha Rhodes

CENTERVILLE, Ind. - On February 16, 2018, Carrol McConaha Rhodes, age 96, left the loving and grateful arms of her family, and is now in the peaceful and joyful presence of Jesus. Carrol was born October 21, 1921, at Westcott Place Farm in Centerville, Indiana, to Lawrence and Bessie Townsend McConaha. She graduated from Centerville High School with the Class of 1939 and enrolled at Earlham College, where she attended for two years. In 1941, Carrol transferred to the University of Iowa to pursue a radio career. While on campus she joined social sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Carrol graduated with a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts in 1943 and began her work at WLW radio station in Cincinnati. She was the first woman hired by the WLW Farm Department, and she enjoyed hosting “Everybody’s Farm”. Carrol also was on staff at WKBV in Richmond, Indiana, and WING in Dayton, Ohio. Carrol married Joel Rhodes on Oct. 6, 1945, and they moved to Centerville to live in the town house built by Carrol’s grandparents, George and Sallie Jackson McConaha, which is now Mills Funeral Home. They moved back to Westcott Place Farm in 1949 and raised three daughters, Cathé, Connie, and Crisann, and son, Joel III. Starting in June 1946, Carrol penned a weekly column, “Fringe ‘n’ Frosting,” which appeared in the hometown newspaper, “The Old Trails Echo” and “Farmweek”. She was able to continue her radio career as she raised her family by reporting the “Centerville News” every Sunday at noon for 33 years. Her main sponsor was the popular, at that time, hometown eatery….Jody’s Restaurant and she ended her broadcasts with the invitation for all to come and eat “that ever-lovin’ golden fried chicken!” Carrol was proud to call Centerville her hometown and her love was reflected in her 26 plus years as the editor of the weekly newspaper, “The Centerville Crusader”, which she founded with her husband in 1967. Her later column, “Dear Heart”, appeared in the “Western Wayne News” in Cambridge City, Indiana. Carrol was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, although her baptism and marriage took place in her childhood church, Centerville Christian Church. She enjoyed attending Richmond Civic Theatre, candle making, flower gardening, poetry, music, as well as, swimming at the Golay Center in Cambridge City. Carrol had a love for horses and flowers that she passed on to her children. Survivors include her four children, Catherine Louise Rhodes of Palmer, Alaska, Connie (Robert) Coddington of Richmond, Indiana, Crisann (James) Gower of Trent Woods, North Carolina, and Dr. Joel D. (Ronne) Rhodes III of Idaho Falls, Idaho; four grandsons, Scott Sivulich of Wasilla, Alaska, Kyle (Staci) Coddington of Flower Mound, Texas, Jamison Joel (Nicole) Sivulich of West Jordan, Utah, and Ben (Ragan) Coddington of Lutz, Florida; and one granddaughter, Megan Bess (Brandon) Crim of Cumming, Georgia. Carrol was richly blessed with eleven great-grandchildren, KJ, Gatlin, Reagan Grace, Braxton, Chase, Emersyn, Lauren, Matthew, Milla, Faith, and Cole, as well as, numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long friends. Carrol was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Joel D. Rhodes, who died May 22, 1993; sisters, Marjorie Andrews and Jeraldine Grace Craig; brother, George McConaha; sisters-in-law, Priscilla Thomas, Jean Rhodes and Jackie Hatfield McConaha; and brothers-in-law, Milton Andrews, Donald Craig, Albert Thomas, and John Cowley Rhodes. The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the excellent care and compassion from Dr. Bob Bode and the staff at Friends Fellowship Community. Visitation for Carrol McConaha Rhodes will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at Mills Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, Centerville. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Centerville Christian Church, 111 North Morton Avenue, Centerville, with Pastor Terry Cochran officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Centerville Christian Church, 111 North Morton Avenue, Centerville, IN 47330; First Presbyterian Church, 100 North 10th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; or Dollars for Scholars, 507 Willow Grove Road, Centerville, IN 47330. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Carrol McConaha Rhodes

October 21, 1921 - February 16, 2018