Neeka (Jones) Rhodes

Neeka Jones Rhodes entered into heaven on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 90 years old. She was born on a farm in Cherokee County, Tx. on October 28, 1931, to Will C. Jones and Nora Roberts. Her family moved to Victoria, Tx in 1939 where she met the love of her life when she was 14 years old. Charles Rhodes, 7 years older than Neeka and the brother of her best friend, was serving in the Navy. When he walked into church one Sunday dressed in his Navy uniform, she knew he was the one for her. A few years later they started dating and married in 1949.

In the 1970's they both became realtors and opened Rhodes Realty Co. Neeka joined the Victoria Women's Real Estate Council and in 1977 served as the Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Later she was very active in the Victoria Board of Realtors. She served on the Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer (1981), MLS Chairman (1982) and was elected to serve a 3-year Directorship from 1983-1985. She served on the following committees while she was a member of The Victoria Area Association of Realtors: 1979-Membership Committee, 1980-Awards Committee, 1983- Legislative Affairs-TREPAC, 1984-Bylaws Chairman, 1987, 1988, 1989 Professional Standards, 1993-Compliance, 1994- Compliance Chairman. She retired in 1998.  She is remembered with great affection by her fellow realtors, especially for the delicious sausage balls she frequently made.

Neeka was an author, she loved to write. She wrote several short stories, magazine articles and a juvenile mystery.  She also wrote articles of historic interest for her hometown newspaper, the Rusk Cherokeean Herald as a guest columnist for many years. At the age of 90 her book, titled Willie and Lee, about her father's childhood struggle with polio was finally published. She was so happy that she lived to see this.

Her family was so important to her. She was a wonderful mother and had a heart full of love for her children and their friends and for the grandchildren and great grandchildren when they came along. They were her pride and joy. She loved to sit in the rocker with them and read stories.

Neeka loved God and was a faithful member of College Church of Christ. She taught Sunday School from the time she was in her 20's until her 70's. She worked with the benevolent program and also helped to start Victoria Christian School. She had such a kind heart and always wanted to help people.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Nora Jones, her sister, Mary Sue Pierce, her brother, Gilbert Jones, and her husband Charles Rhodes.  She is survived by her daughter, Danna Rhodes Baker (Garland), son, Sam Rhodes (Lisa), grandchildren, Kim Baker Millsaps, Christa Baker, David Baker, Morgan Rhodes Goodwin, and Drew Rhodes, 9 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Her family would like to thank the staff at New Century Hospice for all their help. We also want to thank her caregivers who have loved and cared for her so wonderfully: Alma Partida, Kay Johnson, Lori Munoz, Latonya Barefield, Robbie Jaynes, Trudi Russell, Angela Watts, and Jacqueline Gonzales.

ACelebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the College Church of Christ, 3200 N. Ben Jordan St., Victoria, TX 77901.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Samaritan's Purse or charity of your choice.

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