Julia Elaine Shank Rhodes

Julia Elaine Shank Rhodes, 98, Dayton, Virginia went to her heavenly home on March 28. She was born in 1927 to Glenn and Vernie Hildebrand Shank and lived many years on the south side of Mole Hill. She helped in her father's peach orchard by driving the horse-drawn wagon. Julia attended Dale Enterprise School and graduated from Eastern Mennonite School.

In 1951 she married the love of her life, William Jackson Rhodes I. While raising four children, they spent time at their cabin on Richland Mountain and took trips which Billy won as a salesman.

After Billy died in 1985, Julia continued to prepare holiday meals and make quilts for her children. She joined her family at Smith Mountain Lake in the summer. She enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, and feeding the wildlife in her backyard. Julia was a member of Dayton Mennonite Church.

Those left to cherish Julia's memory include her children: Gene (Edith) Rhodes, C. Dusty (Mildred) Rhodes, Queena (Kenneth) Kauffman, and Cletus (Salinda) Rhodes.

And 11 grandchildren: Anthony (Heidi) Rhodes, William Jackson II (Connie) Rhodes, Christopher (Kaitlyn) Kauffman, Valerie (Adam) Platt, Justin (Kristina) Rhodes, Candace (Ryan) Swartzentruber, Kevin Rhodes, Julianna (Casey) Hoback, Christina (Matthew) Hulvey, Joanna (Tyler) Warfel, and Roseanna (Justin) Robison.

And 31 great-grandchildren: Blake, Alexis, Alana, William Jackson III, Kennedy, Carson, Sawyer, Ashby, Isla, Lydia, Alexander, Olivia, Abigail, Sadie, Dustin, Logan, Macy, Oliver, Lucy, Charlie, John, Madison, Emmett, Eli, Everett, Theodore, Archer, Maverick, Annie, Hudson, and Julia.

Julia was preceded in death by her brother, Stanley Shank.

The family will receive friends at Dayton Mennonite Church at 10 am on April 18. A celebration of life service will begin at the church at 11 am followed by burial in the church cemetery.