Dr. Cecil D. Rhodes Jr., 90, of Wilson, entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
A family service will be held.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the family asks that friends refrain from visiting at the home during this time. At a future time, there will be a celebration of life for Dr. Rhodes at Peace Church.
He was born in Charlotte on Jan. 4, 1931, to C.D. and Thelma Rhodes. He grew up in Rome, Georgia, and graduated from Darlington School in 1948. Dr. Rhodes attended Davidson College, graduating in 1952. Following his undergraduate studies, he went on to Bowman Gray School of Medicine (Wake Forest University School of Medicine) and completed his medical degree in 1956.
He also served in the U.S. Navy as a physician for two years and was recognized with a promotion to the grade of lieutenant commander in the Medical Corps. His love of medicine carried him to Wilson, where he practiced internal medicine for 21 years at the Carolina Clinic.
Dr. Rhodes had a genuine concern for others and was passionate about knowing and engaging with everyone he encountered. His deepest desire was for everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His love for family was second to none, with the center of that love being his cherished wife of 67 years, Jean Stockton Rhodes.
After building a large and successful medical practice, he retired and spent years relieving medical missionaries around the world, building churches in the United States and supporting local community groups including the Boys Club, Salvation Army and the Wilson Pregnancy Center.
He also served on the following boards: Southeastern Seminary, Wilson County school board and the Wilson Christian School board. His hobbies included golf, woodworking and spending time on the Neuse River with his family.
God blessed Dr. Rhodes and Jean with three sons: C. David Rhodes III (Dee Dee) of Canton, Georgia, Richard Stockton Rhodes (Dori) of Bedford, Massachusetts, and Robert Bernard Rhodes (Debbie) of Suffolk, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Rebecca Rhodes and Sarah Rhodes, Atlanta, Georgia, Haley Rhodes Clement (James) of Arlington, Virginia, Ryan Rhodes, Charlotte, Andrew Rhodes of Burlington, Vermont, Katelyn Sheets (Jon), High Point, Janie Mein (Stephen) of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Robert Rhodes (Michelle) of Dayton, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Rhodes Sheets, Ray Sheets, Berkley Mein and Owen Mein; and brother, Robert Rhodes (Sandy) of Denver, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wilson Pregnancy Center, 702 Broad St. W., Wilson, NC 27893 (www.wilsonpregnancycenter.com) or to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (donate.intervarsity.org).
Arrangements are by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Drive N., Wilson, NC 27896; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com.
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