In Memoriam

 

Cecil Spence Rhodes
Cecil Spence Rhodes
Class of 1965
 

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Cecil Spence Rhodes Jr., 64, took his final Harley ride home to the big blue sky Feb. 20, 2011. He passed away at home after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Portsmouth Jan. 16, 1947 to Cecil and Rachel Rhodes, deceased. After graduating from Cradock High School in Portsmouth, he served time in Vietnam as a Marine. Professionally, he was a diesel mechanic for Greyhound Lines for 17 years, and then worked for Prevost Car for 23 years until his retirement in August of 2009. Cecil enjoyed working in his garden where he dared a weed to grow and he truly enjoyed sharing the bounty with family and friends. He also enjoyed his Harleys and collections of anything Harley. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dee; his daughters, April and Carrie; his sister, Sandy Dunn (John) of Chesapeake; numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, wonderful friends. As Cecil wished, there was no service; however, there was a drop-in celebration of his life on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at the family home. He will be inurned at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials in Cecil's name to Northeast Florida Community Hospice would be welcome.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on March 4, 2011