Lois C. Rhodes

Lois Cooper Rhodes, 92, departed this life on July 14, 2021, with her family by her side in Farmington, Missouri. Born on a farm in rural Stoddard County, Missouri, to Roy and Cora (Wills) Cooper, Lois was the eighth of eleven children. She attended the small country school at Fagan Hill and later Puxico High School, where she graduated as class valedictorian in 1947. She went on to attend Southeast Missouri Teachers College in Cape Girardeau, earning a bachelors degree in education in 1951. On May 11 of that year, just hours after completing her final exams, she wed Dr. Jerry W. Rhodes of Puxico, Missouri. The two settled in Farmington in 1956, where they lived for the rest of their lives. For 31 years, Lois worked as a teacher, spending most of her career with the fifth graders of Franklin Elementary School in Farmington. She adored her students and made it a point to find "something good" about each child who passed through her classroom. An avid reader, Lois was herself a lifelong learner. She enjoyed engaging friends in spirited conversation, particularly over a game of bridge or while playing golf at St. Francois Country Club, where she and Jerry were charter members. A talented athlete who grew up playing baseball with her brothers, Lois eagerly took up golf alongside Jerry, famously making par on her very first hole. She went on to sink five holes-in-one throughout her golfing career, including her most recent, on her 70th birthday. Lois nurtured a rich spiritual and intellectual life. With Jerry, she joined the Memorial United Methodist Church in 1956. She was a member of the choir there for many years and often expressed her faith in the form of kindness to strangers. While out to lunch at the local Steak n Shake, she was known to anonymously pay the tab for fellow diners, slinking out of the restaurant before she could be noticed. Although she had many hobbies and interests, Lois greatest passion was her family. A devoted mother to three boysMick, Rick, and RodLois treated her sons as she did her students: with fairness, patience, and a great deal of love. As the boys married, Lois welcomed three daughters-in-lawKris, Deb, and Katiewith open arms, encouraging them to call her "Mom." Seven grandchildren followed, bringing with them endless funny stories for Lois to share with her friends at the bridge table. As a grandmother, she attended every performance, sports event, and graduation she could, never passing up a chance to express her pride. Even as the family expanded to include her grandchildrens spouses and five great-grandchildren, Lois continued to host the entire crew at Christmas. She ensured every visitor was warmly received and served a belly-full of her famous chocolate-chip cookies. Lois will be remembered by her family and friends as a radiant example of strength, determination, and generosity of spirit. Her smile and laugh will warm our hearts for years to come. She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Cora; all ten of her siblings (Albert, Floyd, Valera, Howard, Edith, Homer, Ralph, Norman, Carl, and Frank); her husband of 61 years, Jerry; and son, Rick. She is survived by sons Mick (Kris) of Kansas City, MO, Rod (Katie) of Farmington, MO, and daughter-in-law Deb of Troy, MO; grandchildren Megan (Joe), Brooke (Daniel), Austin (Courtney), Matt (Maggie), Melissa (Dane), Ashley, and Alex; and great-grandchildren Imani, Quinn, Connor, Allie, and Harper. She was delighted to know that a sixth great-grandchild would join the family in August. Friends may call at Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory on Sunday, July 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume Monday, July 19th beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church followed by services at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Ron Beaton officiating. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church or the Parkland Health Center Foundation - Cardiology Services. View the video tribute and share your condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com Visitation Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory Sunday, July 18, 2021 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Visitation Resumes Memorial United Methodist Church Monday, July 19, 2021 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Farmington, MO Funeral Service Memorial United Methodist Church Monday, July 19, 2021 10:00 AM Farmington, MO