Obituaries

Marguerite Rhodes Brown

Marguerite Rhodes Brown, 99, died peacefully on April 29, 2014, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, her home for 68 years. She was born in Crossett, Arkansas, January 9, 1915. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by parents, James Robert and Ellen Mae Huntley Rhodes, husband and love of her life, William Curtis Brown (Curt), beloved grandson, Jeffery Martin James, and her eight siblings. She is survived by daughters, Nancy Ellen Talburt (Fayetteville) and Susan James (Little Rock), son-in-law and her best friend, John Edward James (Little Rock), and special grand-dogs, Franklin Brown and Toby James. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and their families, among whom those having a special role in her life are Sharon Harrelson Wertz, James Robert Rhodes III, Bob Harrelson, Paula Huntley, David Bowlin, Margaret Rhodes and Robert Bowlin. She was a Mother first and foremost, and made innumerable sacrifices for her daughters, none of which she considered to be a sacrifice. She was a doting grandmother and a devoted daughter to both of her parents. Marguerite had too many accomplishments and varied interests to list, but did not want her life to be celebrated with fanfare or elaborate speeches and ceremonies. She will leave many legacies, but her example of teaching and continuing to learn is one of her strongest. Marguerite Rhodes Brown was awarded an A.B. degree from Ouachita College and an M.S. degree from the University of Arkansas. She taught everything from English, Glee Club, and girls' softball to typing and shorthand early in her career in south Arkansas, and had a critical job in an airplane parts factory in Mobile, Alabama, during WWII. She taught in the Jonesboro public school system for more than three decades, offering courses in English and American Literature, American Government, Social Studies, World History, American History, and Drama, among other subjects. She revived the Thespians, sponsored the Honor Society for 20 years, and directed Senior and Junior Class Plays. She also taught reading and re-entry skills to veterans in night school, a job that she considered a great honor and challenge, and taught freshman English at Arkansas State University during several summers. As affirmed by her students, she was kind and patient and managed to like even those who were not easy to like. She stood up for students' rights regardless of their financial or social circumstances, and treated them all with respect as she treated all people. She brought a wry and witty humor to everything she did. The following are an excerpts from birthday wishes from a few former students for her 94th birthday. …"The way you conducted yourself and treated me, demanded that I respect you. I've never forgotten the example that you set. …You treated me the way you wanted me to act in your class. You treated me with respect and I acted that way in your class and in your presence. …. I would not be the same person if our paths had never crossed. Thank you, I love you and thank you for what you did for me." Col. Paul Richard Longgrear (aka Dickie) " … "Through high school and college, you are by far the best teacher I had. I want to thank you for the wonderful person you are, and for all the help that you gave me." Harold "Butch" Smith. "… I think that your greatest legacy is the knowledge and counsel that you gave to the countless number of young men and women who were fortunate enough to have you as a teacher"… Beverly Kirkindall Russell. "… I also admired your non-judgmental respect for others. You were never the know-it-all or critical parent. Your daughters were given this gift from you to be independent thinkers and design their own paths"…Peggy Hunter Port. "… It was my time to continue my education. Me - go to college, after 10 years, how scary. During my first semester I went to you for help, and you became not only my teacher again, but my friend. You tutored, corrected and dragged me through Freshman English. Most of all you encouraged me. I made an A…" Beverly Womack Pagan. Marguerite was an avid reader and accomplished musician. She played the piano, violin, and dulcimer and sang in the First Baptist Church Choir. While she was a trained musician, she also played instruments by ear, a talent that ran in the Rhodes family. She often said that music was the core of most of the family gatherings as she grew up and as an adult. Her retirement offered her the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and throughout the UK and many other countries in which she particularly valued concerts and plays. Some of her happiest times were trips with her family. She was generous with her time, money and love. She taught her children that people should never be stereotyped. Her political beliefs reflected her basic life philosophy of tolerance, kindness and inclusion. She studied issues carefully and was a proud and informed voter. She was a pioneer in arts, music, and literature. She loved giving to others. She volunteered at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center and was a member of service organizations such as Kappa Delta Pi and the American Association of University Women. She and many of her friends through the years especially enjoyed the Arts Study Group where they talked about books and the arts, and she produced the annual program book for the group for many years. She was also a member of various book clubs. She enjoyed other activities, including a performing dulcimer club, and was a skilled bridge player. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Her family give special thanks and gratitude to St. Bernard's Village and its dedicated staff (Brian Rega, Tammy Fivecoat, Ronnie Sarils, and Aides), to the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice Staff (Brenda and Barbara in particular), to Dr. Holder, and Samatha, and to Marguerite's very special care-givers, Maria and Clint Halcom, Roxanne Davis, Ann and Marcia Patton, and Kenna Harrelson and her Visiting Angels. Dr. Emil Williams, a friend of 49 years, conducted a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Gregg- Langford Bookout funeral home at 300 W. Matthews in Jonesboro, 870-935-5566. Condolences may be offered at www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com. Donations may be made to Jonesboro Community Service Center, 911 Magnolia Road, 870-275-7911, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401, email: csninc20@yahoo.com or The Jonesboro Public Library or a public library of your choice.

Published May 14, 2014

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