Mark Anderson Rhodes

Mark Anderson Rhodes, age 53, passed away at home on August 12th, 2010. He was born in Panama City, FL on August 28th, 1956 to Fred and Gloria Rhodes. They lived in Butler, AL for two years and then the family moved to Augusta, GA. In 1965, the family moved to Baker, LA. Throughout his childhood, Mark participated in baseball, football and basketball. He graduated from Baker High School in 1974 with a football scholarship to Northwestern State University. After college, he moved to Orlando, FL where he trained and worked for Picadilly. He then moved back to Baker, LA and helped his father in the seafood and restaurant business, Rhodes Seafood. In 1990, he moved to Ocean Springs, MS and began working for US Food Service. In Ocean Springs, he met Kelly Thaxton and married on October 7th, 1995. They have three children, Matthew, Chase and Hannah. Mark worked for US Foods until his death winning many awards including Salesman of the Year. As Mark’s children grew, he participated in their lives and sports. He coached numerous sports teams, cheering on not only his own children but an entire community of children. His latest dream of a lifetime was met when he coached his son’s Little League team to the state championship this year. Mark enjoyed all sports be adored his New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. Mark was a big man but no bigger than his heart. Everyone he met was a potential friend not only in his everyday life, but field of business. If Mark gave his word to a friend, family member or business associate, he meant it. He would do whatever it took to make that promise true. Mark loved his parents, sister and brother. But most of all, he loved his wife, Kelly and three children. They were his life. There was not anything he would not do for his family and friends. He was a hands on Daddy and participated in his children’s lives every moment. He was well respected in the community and loved by all. We will all miss him dearly. Mark is preceded in death by his Mother, Gloria Anderson Rhodes; his paternal grandparents, Fred and Mary Rhodes; maternal grandparents, Rual and Allie Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Thaxton Rhodes; children, Matthew (13), Chase (11) and Hannah (11) Rhodes; father, Fred L. Rhodes and wife, Fern; sister, Fredda Rhodes Lamonte; brother, Jay John Rhodes and sister-in-law, Rachel Rhodes; nephews, Ryan Lamonte and Austin Lamonte; neices, Brooke Rhodes and Alana Rhodes. A visitation will be on Monday, August, 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Campus of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be in Crestlawn Memorial Park, Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to: Mark A. Rhodes Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund at any Hancock Bank.