Jane Guthrie Rhodes, age 93, passed away Saturday morning, July 25, 2009, at Floyd Medical Center, Rome, Georgia. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Crocker, Missouri, on May 16, 1916, the daughter of Dr. H. Taylor Guthrie and Virginia P. Guthrie. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1938 and pursued a career in advertising, working for Rich’s, Agnes Scott College Alumni Office, McCann Marschalk, J. P. Allen' s, and Eastburn Siegel, until she established Jane Rhodes Advertising in Decatur, Georgia. When Mrs. Rhodes was age 56, she began her second career when she entered Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and obtained her Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in the Presbyterian Church, U.S., and served the Randolph Presbyterian Church in High Point, North Carolina. Throughout her adult life, she was an active member of the Decatur Presbyterian Church. She was the founding member of the Christian Arts Fellowship and the Bible and Arts class, wrote and directed countless plays for the church, as well as being involved in almost every area of the church. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of over 50 years, William L. Rhodes, Jr. She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Pete (Tana) Rhodes, Jan (Linda) Rhodes, and Bill (Patsy) Rhodes. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and their spouses: Pete Rhodes, Jr., Chad (Stephanie) Rhodes and their mother, Sue Rhodes, John Rhodes, Lee Rhodes, Lynn (Steve) Shargel, Jennifer (Aaron) Stowell, and Paul Rhodes; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her only sister, Mary Frances Brooks of Gwynedd, PA; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at Decatur Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Todd Speed officiating. Burial at Decatur City Cemetery will precede the funeral at 2:15 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Decatur Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 205 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030 or to Agnes Scott College Annual Fund, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030. Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at A. S. Turner & Sons.
