Minister Thomascecil Rhodes

Celebrating the Life and Homegoing of Minister Thomas Cecil Rhodes

Minister Thomas Rhodes was born on November 23, 1940 in Forkland, Alabama to the parents of Pearline Rhodes and Eddie Coats.

He graduated from Greene County Training School in Boligee, Alabama. During High School he played the saxophone and earned a scholarship. Thomas came to Toledo at an early age and got a job at InterLake Iron for several years. He confessed to Christ and joined Mt. Nebo Baptist Church and served as an Usher. Thomas went on to work at General Motors/Powertrain where he was the first Black Millwright Apprentice. He saw an opportunity to further his education and he enrolled at the University of Toledo and Owens Techinical College where he obtained his degree in Engineering. In 1969, Thomas met Ethel Willis and they married in 1970. Together they had one daughter, Raquel Monique Rhodes. The family attended services at Pentecostal Church of God in Christ where Thomas became a very active member in the church. He began work as a Business Manager, then Deacon and later became ordained as a Minister. After 35 dedicated years as an Engineer, Thomas proudly retired in 2003.

Thomas was preceded by his parents. He was one of 11 children and was also preceded by his siblings, Sarah, Alfred, Edward, Eugene, Hattie and Robert Rhodes.

On April 21, 2014, Thomas Rhodes was called home to be with the Lord. He fought a long battle with diabetes and heart disease. Left in his love is his wife of 44 years, Ethel Rhodes; daughters, Raquel Rhodes and Glynis (Terry) Appleberry; sons, Averil and Gregory Welch; sisters, Clarissa Lawson, Betty Jean Rhodes, Henrietta Rhodes and Susan Kindale; grandchildren, LaToya, Averia and Kamesha Welch; great-grandchildren, Amarah, Maxim and Aminah Betts.

The Wake Service will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. The Funeral Service will begin at Noon. Elder Frank Simmons, Sr. officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Assisting as pallbearers will be: Terrance Rhodes, Donnell Rhodes, Terry Appleberry, Marcus Betts, James Kennard, Judge Kennard, Deacon Gilbert Rainey, Deacon Wesley Fisher and Deacon Major Smith. Honorary Pall-bearers: Elder Keith Russell, Elder John Shelton and Elder Michael Allen.

The family would like to thank Toledo Hospital, the Nurses in Cardiac ICU, Dr. Philip Lepkowski and his staff and everyone else who cared for Thomas and his family.