Elmer Dorse Rhodes

1940 - 2020  (79 years)

• Name	Elmer Dorse Rhodes
  Born	20 Apr 1940	Gay, Jackson, West Virginia, USA   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Died	31 Mar 2020	Jackson County, West Virginia, USA   [2]
  Notes	Elmer D. Rhodes, 79 of Gay, passed away March 31, 2020 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Dee and Lois Rhodes following a short illness. He was born April 21, 1940 at Gay, WV, son of the late Ores and Goldie Parsons Rhodes. He owned of The Gulf Service Station on Church Street in Ripley, retired from Century Aluminum with 30 years of service and attended the Lakeview Baptist Church at Gay. Elmer was a kind and giving man who wasn’t above “Pulling a good joke” on someone just to enjoy a good laugh. He was one to make sure folks didn’t go without. He tapped trees and made Maple Syrup and mostly gave it all away. Elmer loved being with family most of all, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, digging ramps, woodworking, farming and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 56 ½ years, Margaret Lee Skinner Rhodes; his son Dee Rhodes and his wife Lois of Ripley; grandson Lucas (Audra “Eugene” Thomas) Casto great grandchildren, Connor, Noah and Evalina Casto; brothers and sisters Delmer Rhodes, and Jesse Rhodes (Mary) of Gay; Darrell Rhodes (Janice) of Leroy; Bernard Rhodes of Leon; Russell Rhodes (Eva) of Ripley, and Joseph Rhodes (Debbie) of Evans, Gladys Rhodes Knopp and Carolyn Rhodes Johnson of Ripley; Macel Rhodes of Morgantown; Kathleen Rhodes Herdman (Mark) of Leon, and Regenia Rhodes-Rawson (Randy) of Medina. He is also survived by Jason Fort, Charlie Day, Tim Comer and Eugene Martin whom were like sons to him and Lea Ann Irvin whom he loved like a daughter. He is also survived by several special nieces and nephews. The family is honoring his wishes for cremation and due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, which will be published in the local papers and the funeral home website. The family would like to thank Candice and the staff of Kanawha Hospice for their comfort and care given to Elmer and the entire family during his final days. They also wish to thank all of the family and friends for visits, love and prayers. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com
  Person ID	I91443	WVPioneers
  Last Modified	23 Apr 2020

  
  

  Father	Ores Albert Rhodes,   b. 22 Mar 1915, Gay, Jackson, West Virginia, USA ,   d. 6 Aug 2000, Jackson County, West Virginia, USA  (Age 85 years)
  Mother	Goldie Eulala Parsons,   b. 17 Jul 1921, Roane County, West Virginia, USA ,   d. 5 Dec 2018, Ripley, Jackson, West Virginia, USA  (Age 97 years)
  Married	24 Apr 1939	Roane County, West Virginia, USA   [3]
  Notes	Marriage Record Date: 4/24/1939 Place: Roane, West Virginia, United States Oris Albert Rhodes, 24, 3/22/1915, Gay Roane Co, Gay Roane Co, Pheobe Rhodes (father dec'd) Golda Eulala Parsons, 17, 7/17/1921, Gay Roane Co, Gay Roane Co, EW & Etta Parsons 1940 Curtis, Roane, WV Rhodes, Phoebe 60 wd WV 1935: Same house Oris son 23 m WV 1935: Same house Goldie dil 18 m WV 1935: Rural Roane WV Jackson County, WV, Past and Present 1990: The children of Ores Albert b 1915 and Goldie Eulala Parsons Rhods b 1921 are: Elmer Dorse b 1940 Gladys Karen b.1941 Delmer Gordon b. 1944 Darrell Ernest b. 1945 Bernard Weldon b. 1949 Albert Russell b. 1951 Macel Emeline b. 1953 Carolyn May b. 1955 Jesse Wayne b. 1956 Kathleen Kay b. 1958 Regenia Eulala b. 1961 Joseph Michael b. 1964 Making Molasses is a tradition carried out by my family every fall. This tradition started many years before I was born. My great grandma, Goldie Eulalah Parsons Rhodes daughter of Ernie William Parsons and Etta Mae Allen Parsons, brought the tradition to Jackson County when she married Ores Albert Rhodes, son of Gordon Mead Rhodes and Phoebe Emeline Tuttle Rhodes. Ores and Goldie had 12 children, Elmer Doris, Gladys Karen, Delmar Gordon, Darrel Ernest, Bernard Weldon, Albert Russell, Macel Emeline, Carolyn Mae, Jesse Wayne, Kathleen Kay, Regina Eulalah and Joseph Michael. The tradition started at the Rhodes home place on Gay Road. Molasses comes from the raw mater of sugar cane which was grown on the farm. The first step to making molasses is planting and harvesting the cane. After the cane is harvested, it is processed by squeezing the juice out with burrs. A fire is built under a coy-lined metal plan. The sugar cane juice is then put into the pan and boiled until it thickens into sorghum molasses. It takes thirty gallons of juice to produce one gallon of molasses. The molasses is then put into jars and with used, sold, or bartered with to help support the family. My grandpa, Darrell Rhodes, married Janice Sue Golden and they had three children, Ten Marie married to Dana Orin Casto with daughter Tonya Marie; Anthony Less (deceased and Lora Denise married to Mark Edward Parsons with daughter Nicole Dare Blankenship. After acquiring their farm on Route 33, they continued making molasses for several years. Now, we make molasses on the original site that is currently owned by Albert Russell Rhodes. Our large and extended family gathers to socialize and make more memories while making molasses. Hopefully this long lasting tradition continues to be a part of our family for generations to come. Nicole Blankenship, Leroy, WV
  Family ID	F11754	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Margaret Lee Skinner
  Children	1. Elmer Dee Rhodes
  Family ID	F23548	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S1190] Child/Grandchild/family member. [S21] Obit. [S15] Marriage Records, Roane Co, WV.