Mary Kathryn (Lewis) Rhodes

Mary Kathryn Rhodes, 71, passed away April 09, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Stone County in Wiggins. She was born September 27, 1951 in Wiggins, the youngest of ten children and daughter to Jesse and Rena Mae (Brown) Scarbrough. She grew up in the old "India" community just South of Wiggins where she enjoyed playing with her siblings, singing, and visiting with neighbors. Mary attended Locker High School, graduating in the late 60s. She went to work for the Department of Human Services in Wiggins, working there for some time before going to work for FUMC and Azalea Gardens in housekeeping. Mary enjoyed what she did and spent the biggest part of her career there. She married Andrew Lewis, Sr. somewhere around 1969, and together they had seven children, four of which passed away as infants. After her and Andrew divorced, Mary had two more children before marrying Frank Rhodes in the 90s. When they separated after just a couple of years, her and Rudolph Johnson have been together ever since. They have have lived in and around Wiggins all their lives and are well-known in the community. Mary was a loving, outgoing woman who enjoyed taking care of others. She would always cook or bake a cake for families who lost loved ones. Her Christian faith is what allowed her to endure some very troubling times in her life. Mary attended Green Valley Baptist Church for many years, serving her Lord, church family, and community in any way she could. She was considered a prayer warrior, keeping her prayer cloth and other items with her always. Mary had a passion for her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and was always on the lookout for them. She was a confidant that any of them could come to with whatever was bothering them, no matter what. And they all knew that their secret was forever safe with Mary. She loved her music, especially Big Rob. Mary enjoyed singing and dancing, going to the casino to play the slots, and she always had her lottery ticket. She kept some roasted peanuts around to snack on, and always had her double-mint gum as well. Mary spoke to her sister Beulah Mae every day, and since her passing, has missed her dearly. They are forever together and waiting for loved ones to join them in glory. Mary will be sadly missed by all whose life she touched. She was preceded by her father, Jesse Scarbrough, and her mother Rena Terrell; her stepfather Rev. Jim Terrell; four infant children and her adult sons, Andrew and Gary Lewis; daughters-in-law Kim, Audrey, and Angela Lewis; sisters Stella Scarbrough, Beulah Mae Shade, Cora Simmons, Dorothy Perryman, and Willie Mae Hill, with brothers Floyd Scarbrough, Jessie, LeRoy, and Clyde Hill; and her great-granddaughter, Naomi Grace James. Left to cherish her memories are: her soul-mate and long-time companion, Rudolph Johnson; her daughter, Stacie (Bop) DeJarnett of Wiggins; sons Tommy (Keisha) Lewis of Meridian, and Rocky Lewis, also of Wiggins; with one step-daughter, Christina Everett of Salt Lake City, FL; her only remaining sister, Lottie Scarbrough; and her great nieces, Patricia (Sherman) Jones and Peggy (Tyron) McDonald, both of Wiggins. Mary leaves a legacy of twenty grandchildren, five great grandbabies, and more extended family and friends than could ever be counted. Funeral services are set for Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Trinity Funeral Services in McHenry. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by a chapel service at 1:00 PM with Rev. Gerry James officiating. Following the services, Mary's final wish to be cremated will be honored by her family. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Rhodes family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers through the days ahead.