George William "G W" Rhodes, Sr.

George William Rhodes, Sr., age 81, died Saturday March 24, 2007 in Biloxi. “G.W.” as he was affectionately known, was born in Biloxi to the late Christina Forehand Rhodes and George John Rhodes. G.W. was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in the Atlantic Fleet until 1945. He founded Rhodes Floor Covering in 1947. His company was awarded the distinction of “Floor Covering Dealer of America”, in 1998. He was known for his honesty, integrity and generosity. He received his honorary High School Diploma from Biloxi High School in 2000, of which he was most proud. Every day was an adventure for him, for years these adventures revolved around his horses and cattle and in later years his adventures took him around the world, each one enjoyed with good humor and often times a good prank. Mr. Rhodes was a member of the Retail Flooring Institute of America, Association of General Contractors, The Home Builders Association, The Biloxi Yacht Club, The Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Biloxi Elks Club & The South Mississippi Horseshow and Rodeo Association. He was a current member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Audrey Deloney and a nephew, Glen Lenart. Mr. Rhodes is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Quave Rhodes; his daughter, Christine "Tina" Slay and her husband, Dub; two sons, George "Rocky" Rhodes and Keith Rhodes and his wife, Vicki; his sister, Dorothy Dell Rhodes Clark; six grandchildren, George "Chip" Rhodes, Jamie Rhodes Thornton and her husband, Kenny, Lauren Paige Rhodes, Sgt. Michael Shawn Pitalo, Melissa Pitalo McEntee, and Bailey Slay; and one great grandchild, Hagan McEntee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Entombment will follow in Southern Memorial Park In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507 or to the American Heart Association, Southeast Affiliate, P. O. Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384-9410. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.