Mary Ann Quave Rhodes

Mary Ann Quave Rhodes, age 94, entered eternal rest on January 25, 2025. Mary Ann was born in D’Iberville, MS to Peter Narcissus and Lima (Fayard) Quave on April 21, 1930.

Mary Ann attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Elementary School, Sacred Heart Girls High School and graduated from D’Iberville High School in 1948 where she received a gold medal for typing and was a member of the girls’ basketball team of which she was awarded a trophy for best guard. She worked and met her husband, George “GW” Rhodes at Home Milk Pride Co. Subsequently, she joined Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company as an operator. She often spoke of the post war era, which enabled her to be a part of reconnecting soldiers with family, which brought her much joy.

She joined her husband at Rhodes Floor Coverings in 1948, eventually becoming the Chief Financial Officer. The company they built together received the distinction of “Floor Covering Dealer of America”, in 1998. She was known for her loving nature, radiant smile, honesty, graciousness and generosity, not to mention her line, “ya’ll come see us!”.

Mrs. Rhodes was a member of Nativity BVM Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, The Retail Flooring Institute of America, The World Floor Covering Association, Association of General Contractors, The Home Builders Association, The Biloxi Yacht Club, The Gulf Coast Carnival Association, The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Young Matrons, Bon Vivants, various ladies bowling leagues, The Lazy B Riding Club and The South Mississippi Horse Show and Rodeo Association. She was an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

She was everything one could imagine the perfect mother to be! She supported her children and grandchildren with kindness and grace in their activities up until her death. Mary Ann approached every day as the “best day ever”.

She enjoyed antique collecting, raising livestock, playing canasta, and traveling the world. In later years, she was always up for a card game with anyone that would play and especially adored the time she spent weekly with her cherished nieces, playing Hand and Foot.

Mrs. Rhodes is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, George “G.W.” Rhodes, Sr.; her parents; her sisters, Iris Toncrey (Tonita), Bessie May (Jim), Angie Vuyovich (Eddie); and brothers, Lynrose Quave (Gloria) and James Quave (Stella).

She is survived by her daughter, Christine “Tina” Slay (William, IV “Dub”); her two sons, George W. “Rocky” Rhodes, Jr. (Janet) and Keith Rhodes (Vicki); six grandchildren, George "Chip" Rhodes, III, Jamie Rhodes, Lauren Rhodes Braden, Bailey Slay, Shawn Pitalo, Melissa Pitalo McEntee, Michael and Will Kennedy; and 11 great grandchildren.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Donna Keys for her excellent and loving care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral where friends may visit from 10 a.m. until service time. Entombment will follow for family and friends at Southern Memorial Park. All are invited to gather for a reception at Nativity following entombment. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Ann Quave Rhodes.