Anna Belle Rhoads

Anna Belle Rippy Rhoads Ann Rhoads, as she was known by her friends and those who loved her, was called to her Heavenly home on February 21, 2014 at ninety years of age.  She was born November 12, 1923, to Elbert and Jessie (Loudermilk) Rippy, one of the nine children who filled their homestead in Odin, Ill.  She married high school classmate, Francis ‘Dusty’ Rhoads on Nov. 27, 1947. Their fifty-seven year marriage saw them moving from Illinois to Texas to Tulsa; then to McPherson, Ks., Blackwell, Oklahoma, and back to Tulsa.  Ann’s final years were spent living in Seminole, OK.  Each place held cherished memories and many friendships for Ann and she loved talking about the people and places she had known.  Ann and Dusty raised their three sons in McPherson, Kansas, where Ann became the Cub Scout mom, car-pool mom, and cookie-baking mom for a whole neighborhood of little boys who became like her own.  Ann often said that “those were the best years” of her life.  Ann was the office manager and bookkeeper for Dusty’s oil business, yet always found time for friends and family.  She was famous for big holiday meals and tubs of home-made cookies. She loved to read, play bridge, watch golf, and cheer for the ‘Pokes'.  She tried to never miss an OKC Thunder game on TV; and would ‘suit up’ in Thunder gear to cheer for Kevin, her favorite player.  What Ann enjoyed most, though, were her sons and their families.  She loved her boys deeply and treasured them greatly.  A large extended family of many cousins, nieces, and nephews also brought joy and learning about their lives was a delight to her.  She especially cherished her niece, Mary Lou Shiner, and the time they spent together - often calling Mary Lou “the daughter I never had”. Ann was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings: Paul, Gene, Quentin, Lucille, Dwight, Mary, Ray, and Nelda.  Her husband Dusty died June 28, 2004.  Ann is survived by her three beloved sons and their wives: David (Mary) Rhoads of Edmond; Mark (Marilyn) Rhoads of Seminole; and Jeff (Debra) Rhoads of Broken Arrow. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Maxine ‘Teenie’ Rippy (Ray) of Illinois.  Ann leaves numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a host of others who loved her. The family would like to express thanks to all who provided care for Ann in her final illness; a heartfelt thank you also to Lewis Walters of Redeemer Lutheran, Ann’s Pastor.  Memorial services will be held 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 39307 MacArthur St. Shawnee, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations be made in Ann’s memory to the Building Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 39307 MacArthur St., Shawnee, OK.  74804-2485. Funeral Information: March 1, 2014, 4:00 PM Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 39307 MacArthur St., Shawnee, OK 74804