Ruth Joan RhodesRuth Joan Rhodes was born September 13th, 1932 in Denison, Texas to Jay and Maebelle White and soon moved to Harlingen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Joan graduated from Harlingen High School and then attended The University of Texas where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. Joan and Cecil met while attending U.T. and married after graduating in 1952. They moved to Midland, where Cecil worked as a geologist and Joan as a housewife and later as a mother of Celia Rhodes Wilson, Lisa Rhodes and William Jay (Dusty) Rhodes. Joan and Cecil stayed in Midland for the next 62 years with frequent vacations to Europe, Africa, South America, and the Orient.Joan Rhodes was predeceased by her son, William Jay (Dusty) Rhodes. She is survived by her daughters, Celia Rhodes Wilson (Word B), and Lisa Rhodes, grandchildren, Toffee Wilson McAlister (Jake), Chelsea Wilson Sheppard (B. Blaine) and Dusty Rhodes Olson (Travis). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Rhodes Healy McAlister, English Marie McAlister, and Joan Rhodes Olson.Her family would like to express their gratitude to Summer Merritt for all of her love and support of Joan and her family.Honorary pallbearers were Word B Wilson, Jake McAlister, Blaine Sheppard and Travis Olson.Joan was beautiful inside and out and was loved by all that knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, friend, grandmother, and great-grandmother that will never be replaced in our hearts.In lieu of flower, donations should be made to the charity of your choice.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
