Joyce Marie Markham Rhodes' Obituary
Joyce M. Rhodes passed into eternal rest on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Covington, LA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald A. Rhodes, Sr., and her parents, Wallace L. Markham and Gladys T. Harmon. She is survived by her children, Kathleen Rhodes, Ronald A. Rhodes, Jr. (Sherrie), David Rhodes (Darlene), and her grandchildren, Lauren Rhodes, Sean Rhodes, and step-grandchild, James Bergeron.
She is also survived by her sister Darlene Bonura (the late Joseph), her brother in law Larry Rhodes (Betty), and her sister in law Suzanne Stafford (Pat) and several nieces and nephews.
Joyce was a native of New Orleans, LA, and was a longtime resident of Meraux, LA. Following Hurricane Katrina, she resided in St. Amant, LA, before moving to Mandeville, LA. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church in Chalmette, LA, where she was a Eucharistic minister, and was active in St. Anne Church in Sorrento, and later was a member of Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mandeville, LA. Her faith and devotion to God were extraordinarily important to her.
After graduating from high school at the age of 16, Joyce enrolled in the Charity Hospital School of Nursing, but soon realized that she was not yet ready for such a challenging profession. Soon thereafter, she met the love of her life, Ronald Rhodes, got married, and started a family.
While her children were growing up, she was a devoted mom and homemaker. Her love for her family was evident in all that she did.
In her early forties, her dream of becoming a nurse was rekindled, and she returned to nursing school, finished first in her class, and earned her LPN license. In the early years of her nursing career, she worked at Montelepre Hospital on Canal Street until its closure. She then went on to work at St. Margaret’s Daughters Nursing Home until her retirement.
Always the caregiver, Joyce took exceptional care of her husband, Ronnie, and continued to dote on her children and grandchildren, whom she loved beyond measure.
The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the nursing staff at St. Tammany Hospital, Dr. Nathalie Kerkow, Dr. Georges Antoun, Sarah Bourgeois, and a special thank you to Felicia Fontan for all of her support.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Mass of Christian burial on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA, and the visitation will begin at 11:00 am until service time. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, St. Rose, LA.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Feed the Hungry or any charitable organization of your choice are preferred.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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