Helen Graddy Rhoades was born March 27, 1916, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to W.E. Graddy and Clara Hammons Graddy. She departed this life on June 2, 2012, at Lakeside Meadows, Osage Beach, Missouri.
She was married to Larwood Rhoades on May 1, 1936. To this union two children were born: Lynne Rhoades Wherley and Sam Rhoades.
After graduating from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in Springfield, Missouri, Helen became a teacher. She taught in a one room school as well as third grade, seventh grade and special education. She ended her career at Thayer Elementary School after having taught 33 years.
Larwood and Helen owned a farm near Couch, Missouri for a number of years and raised their family there. After his death, Helen moved to Thayer to be near her friends. In 2005 she moved to Lakeside Meadows assisted living at Osage Beach, Missouri.
She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and received her 50 years of membership pin. She was a charter member of the Couch Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 59 years, her grandson, Matthew Wherley, one half brother, Olon Tucker and one half sister, Mertha Morgan.
She is survived by her son Sam Rhoades and his wife Billie; her daughter Lynne Wherley and her husband Tom; her granddaughters Jennifer Martin and Dr. Samantha Whiteside and her husband Devin; and six great-grandchildren: Christian Whiteside, Cole Whiteside, Connor Whiteside, Dylan Martin, Madison Martin, and Lauren Martin and a half sister, Maxine Hackett.
Her memorial service will be Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri with Jeannette Bragg officiating. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer. Donations may be made to Couch Community Church, and mailed to Jo Stahlman, 4632 Frenchtown Road, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas 72554.