Almaretta Rhodes

Almaretta Rhodes, 72, of Cape Girardeau went to heaven from her home Thursday, June 18, 2009, surrounded by her loving husband of 52 1/2 years and her children.

She was born Feb. 7, 1937, in Boss, Mo., daughter of Arsdel Ruby Van and Eva Irene Camden Hanson. She and Edwin E. "Pete" Rhodes were married Nov. 10, 1956.

Almaretta loved her family and friends and enjoyed life with all of them. She never knew a stranger and always had an open heart and hand.

She was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, life member of VFW Post 3838 Ladies Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 3775, Elks Auxiliary 639 and American Legion in Jackson.

She was an active bowler 30 years and served as vice president of the Ladies Bowling Association many years. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. She also enjoyed playing bingo and cards with many of her friends. She was a volunteer at Missouri Veterans Home, with American Cancer Society and many other community organizations.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Debbie Rhodes-Hodge; a son, Eddie Rhodes, both of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Hali Lynn Apel (Tobias), Brittany Liegh, Mallory Brooke and Cameron Taylor Rhodes, all of Cape Girardeau; and a great-granddaughter, Kalayah Lynn Apel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, a brother and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. A VFW Auxiliary service will be held at 7.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation for the Cancer Center or Southeast Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences Endowment at 60 Doctors Park, Suite 102, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.