Jean Rhodes

Jean Stockton Rhodes, 95, of Wilson, North Carolina, entered the presence of her Savior and friend, Jesus Christ, on May 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Winston Salem, NC and was the daughter of Richard Gordon and Hortense Stockton. Jean’s love of her life for 67 years was her husband, Dr. Cecil David Rhodes, Jr. who passed away on March 20, 2021. The two of them were inseparable in this life and are now joined together once again with their Lord Jesus in heaven.

Jean attended St. Mary’s College in Raleigh and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1952. She married Cecil David Rhodes, Jr. in 1954 and partnered with him as he completed his medical degree in 1956, served in the Navy as a physician in New Orleans, LA, set up his private Internal Medicine practice in Wilson where he worked for 21 years and served alongside him as he relieved missionaries around the world and built churches.

She had a very close personal relationship with Jesus Christ and wanted everyone she encountered to have a relationship with Him as well. She met with Jesus and read Scripture to begin every day. She truly was a “prayer warrior”, praying for the needs of her family, her friends, her church, her nation and the world. Everything in Jean’s life flowed from her walk and relationship with Jesus. Each of her boys now have personal relationships with Jesus because of her life!

Jean was known for her genuinely joyful and loving kindness to all she met. She was an extremely devoted mother attending every sport and school event for her boys. And she had a fabulous sense of humor and laughed easily and often!

She had a huge heart for the underdog…often cheering for the team or person who was behind. Her heart went out to many who others did not see and would often bring kids home to live with her family.

Jean held a Ladies Bible Study in her home for over 50 years. She was also instrumental in starting The Christian Women’s Club of Wilson. She, along with her husband, Cecil, helped form the Wilson Pregnancy Center. She was also a member of the Wilson Memorial Auxiliary Club. And Jean loved working in the Wilson Rose Garden.

In addition to her husband, God blessed Jean with three loving and devoted sons, C. David Rhodes III (Dee Dee), Richard Stockton Rhodes (Dori), and Robert Bernard Rhodes (Debbie), as well as grandchildren, Rebecca Rhodes Wooten (Brad), Sarah Jean Rhodes, Katelyn Sheets (Jon), Janie Mein (Stephen), Robert Rhodes (Michelle), Haley Rhodes Clement (James), Ryan Rhodes, and Andrew Rhodes. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Rhodes Sheets, Ray Sheets, Berkley Mein, Owen Mein, Emmy Mein, Caroline Emerson Clement, Joseph David Wooten and a soon to be born great-grandchild to Robert and Michelle Rhodes.

A Celebration of Life was held for the family at her home on June 20th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wilson Pregnancy Center, 702 Broad St. W, Wilson, NC 27893 or to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, www.give.intervarsity.org

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com