Hazel Rhodes

Longtime Rock Hill resident Hazel Annette Rucker Rhodes passed away in her home on February 26. She was 97 years old. She was born on a small farm in Northern Georgia on October 11, 1917, the first of four children born to James Luico "Luke" Rucker and Hassie Vickery Rucker. Her younger siblings were Herman "Buddy" Rucker, Martin "Buck" Rucker, and Sarah Rucker Wellborn. All preceded her in death. She spent her childhood helping her parents with the farm and helping care for her younger siblings. She attended public school in Bowman, Georgia, where she excelled as a student. Hazel was valedictorian of her high school class, and entered Winthrop College in 1934. She planned to become a teacher. Those plans changed when she met William Stevenson "Bill" Rhodes during her freshman year. He was, as she put it, ready to get married, and she loved him deeply. Her father was disappointed when she did not return for her sophomore year, because he wanted all of his children to get a college degree, but he approved of his future son-in-law, and gave his blessing. They married on August 15th of 1936 in Elbert County, Georgia, but resided for the rest of their lives in Rock Hill, where Mr. Rhodes was a city policeman for over 30 years. He finished his police career as Chief of Police of Rock Hill in 1965. He died in an automobile accident in April of 1977, days before his 65th birthday. The couple had two children, Mary Annette Rhodes Howell, deceased, and William Stevenson "Steve" Rhodes, Jr., of Rock Hill. Annette lived in Catawba, SC, at the time of her death in 2004. Annette had two children, Charles Rucker "Ruck" Barnes (Terri) of Rock Hill, and William Martin "Marty" Barnes (Laurie), of Catawba. Steve and his wife Barbara Munn Rhodes also had two children, Leah Karen Rhodes Cable of Rock Hill, and Steven Charles Rhodes, deceased. Great-grandchildren are Ashley Barnes Powell (Brad), Jessalyn Barnes May (Nick), William Rhodes "Will" Barnes, Charles Rucker "Chip" Barnes, Jr., Samuel Rhodes Cable, and Helen Moore Cable. She is also survived by one great-great-grandchild, Bradford Rhodes Powell. Hazel's life is best represented by three concepts: her family, her church, and her work. She was devoted to and adored by her family. She was also a devout Christian, growing up in Bowman Methodist Church, then joining First ARP Church in Rock Hill in 1943. She served her church for over 70 years, teaching Sunday School, faithfully participating in Women's Ministries, attending the Rogers Sunday School class, and frequently helping with Family Promise until well into her eighties. She hosted a Monday morning prayer group at her house until 2012, and received the Deacon's Service Award in 2007. Dr. Barry Dagenhart, pastor of the church, said she had "a servant's heart." She served her church tirelessly as an expression of her deep faith in God for as long as her health permitted. The church has had five ministers since it was established in 1898. She knew them all. In addition, she worked one day a week at Hope House pantry until well into her nineties. Sundays belonged to church and family, but weekdays belonged to Marion Davis, a clothing store on Main Street in downtown Rock Hill. During World War II, Bill Rhodes was stationed in Charleston. Hazel began working in a dress shop in Charleston, and upon returning to Rock Hill, discovered that Marion Davis Co., which at this time was a men's clothing shop, was expanding to include a women's department. Marion Davis himself hired Hazel in 1949. She retired in 1984 because of a desire to travel and because the stress of managing the store was beginning to cause neck problems. Rock Hill Herald columnist Jane Clute called her Rock Hill's "dean of women's fashion." A former customer said, "She dressed every woman in Rock Hill." Her approach was simple and successful. She loved being in the store, saying once that she would rather work there than eat, she loved the interaction with her customers, whom she says she treated as guests in her home, she loved the bustle and staying busy, and she loved making people happy. She frequently knew what her customers wanted better than they did, cheerfully bringing beautifully accessorized outfits to the dressing room until they had what they needed. She knew the importance of clothing color with skin and hair tone thirty years before the books came out. After she retired, she, as the family puts it, "kept the road hot" traveling and seeing friends and family. Her hands were always busy, gardening, cooking, canning, quilting. She never sat idly in front of the television. She handmade dozens of quilts in the last decades of her life, as her mother had done throughout her life. The quilts are in the homes of the people she loved, family, friends, and neighbors, none of whom will ever forget her. She will be missed. A service will be held at First APR Church Monday March 2, 2015 at 11am with interment to follow at Neelys Creek ARP Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10am until the start of the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to First ARP Church 201 East White Street Rock Hill SC 29730. Online condolences may be registered at bassscares.com