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Joan Lindsley Rhodes, 66, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, May 4th.

Joan was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, alongside her five siblings: Michael, Patrick, Nancy, Lou Ann, and Jonathan. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Millersville College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which was followed by a long and rewarding career as a Human Resources Manager, most recently at Barry Callebaut Chocolate in Hendersonville, North Carolina. 

While in Pennsylvania, Joan met and married her husband, John Rhodes, and became a mother to his three sons: Jordan, Alexander, and Benjamin. Joan quickly filled their home with her irrepressibly positive outlook on life and uplifting sense of humor. Her joyful personality and unshakable dedication to the family provided the structure everyone needed. The family eventually settled in Columbus, North Carolina. 

Joan was an equally devoted wife and steadfastly supported her husband, John, through his long, arduous battle against Parkinson’s disease. Even as her own health faded, Joan selflessly gave her energy to her husband as his primary caretaker.

Joan loved listening to music, cooking, gardening, and interior design. She was also an animal lover and rescued many throughout her life. If you ever visited the house, you undoubtedly would be greeted by Joan smiling in the yard or in the kitchen with one of her beloved pets. Joan was also a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, North Carolina where she was a dearly loved and dedicated member of the congregation. 

Joan was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Ross, and her parents, Hilbert and Marian Stevens. She is survived by her step-sons and their spouses: Jordan and Dara Rhodes, Alexander and Mandy Rhodes, Benjamin Rhodes; her six grandchildren; and by her siblings, Patrick Ross, Nancy Stevens, Lou Ann Stevens, and Jonathan Stevens.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, North Carolina at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 20th. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research:  P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, https://give.michaeljfox.org

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon, NC