Ellen Bess Rhoads

ELLEN BESS CASKEY RHOADS, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 9, following a short illness. She was born June 25 1923, in Des Arc to W.J. and Bess Rex Caskey who preceded her in death. Bess spent most of her life in Des Arc. Her father was a well known businessman and politician in Prairie County, and the Caskey Family was involved in a lot of activities in Des Arc. Bess was the fourth of five children with three older brothers and a younger sister. Bess long was active in the First Baptist Church of Des Arc. The sanctuary was on her father's former horse lot, just across the street from the home in which she was raised. After attending what's now Ouachita Baptist University at Arkadelphia, Bess returned to Des Arc to help her father at Caskey Hardware. During World War II, she found great pleasure in doing things to aid in the war effort as her brothers served overseas. Bess knitted scarves and provided them to the Red Cross to be sent to servicemen. Bess later became a familiar figure in Des Arc, selling Avon products for more than a quarter of a century. She was a member of the prestigious Avon Presidents Club. Her days spent going to homes in Des Arc, calling on customers and delivering their products. She enjoyed the fellowship the business provided. Bess moved to Little Rock almost a dozen years ago to be closer to her daughter, Ann and Ann's family. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her grandson, William. Bess found a new church home at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. She enjoyed meeting members of the church, where she was in the Esther-Lydia Sunday school class and the Tele-Bible Sunday school class. Bess also would visit two retirement homes each week to provide Christian social time for those unable to travel to the church. Bess made friends easily and took great joy in getting to know as many people as possible. During her last year she resided at Good Shepherd Retirement Community where she made some wonderful friends. Bess is survived by her daughter Ann Rhoads; grandson, William Walker and Anita Aebersold who has been like a second daughter of Little Rock; a sister Carolyn Nelson and husband Robert of Arkadelphia; her brother Mike Caskey and his late wife Mildred of Austin, Texas; her brother Joe Caskey and his wife Sara of Oklahoma City and eight nieces and nephews. Still special to her heart was the Rhoads family. In addition to her parents, Bess was preceded in death by her brother Bill and his wife Sarah of Louisville, Ky.; niece Sarah Bayrd and nephew Bob Nelson. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Immanuel Baptist Church Little Rock Tele-Bible Class or Our House Shelter Little Rock, Ark. A special thank you to the staff of Baptist Hospital, Baptist Hospice, and Immanuel Baptist Church and all the caring family and friends. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Immanuel Baptist Chapel Garden Entrance Little Rock on Saturday, Dec. 18 10:30 with Graveside Services being held at 3 at Lakeside Cemetery in Des Arc. Online guest register www.garthfuneralhome.com.