May 15, 2024, 83, Goldsboro —

Ishmael Wayne Rhodes, age 83, passed away Wednesday morning, May 15, 2024, at his home. Born in Wayne County, NC, he was the son of the late Joseph Ishmael Rhodes and Thelma Carmack Rhodes Creech. He attended Wayne’s Chapel Church and was a member of the NC Mobile Homes Association. Wayne managed and later supervised several area convenient stores. He loved people and enjoyed the opportunities that the convenience stores provided for meeting new people. Wayne enjoyed talking and joking with those that he met. He felt it was important to relate to those in his community. He took a course in public speaking in order to improve those skills. After retirement, he became the owner and operator of Rhodes Motors and he, along with his wife, Carolyn, were the co-owners of Rhodes Mobile Home Park in Dudley, for many years. He also served in the NC National Guard for 6 years. As a cook in the National Guard, he would always say “Always better to have more than not enough.” This carried over to his family dinners. Wayne was diligent in keeping his promise to his mother to hold the Rhodes Dinner every year. He was very dedicated to his family and held the Rhodes Family Dinner every year until his health declined and he was physically unable to prepare for it. He taught many of the younger generation how to cook a pig. Along with learning how to BBQ, came many life lessons, jokes, and stories about loved ones that had passed and what it was like growing up in a family of 11 children. Some of Wayne’s most precious time was spent with his wife Carolyn, her son, Clint, and Wayne’s nephews and friends. Whether it be a fishing trip or a ride down to the Coast, these moments were the highlight of their lives.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph Parker and Rev. Dennis Pollock officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Wayne Memorial Park. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm at the funeral home.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn S. Rhodes; stepson, Clint Galentine (Kimberly); brothers, Dan Rhodes (Joyce) and Harold Rhodes (Bobbie); sisters, Edna Wise, Melba Anderson, Gloria White (Larry), Debbie Stafford, Daphne Jones (Kenny Wayne), Abigail Pollock (Dennis) and Vickie Osoria; grandchildren, Max Collins and Garrett Galentine

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to
Wayne’s Chapel Church
3556 Emmaus Church Road
Mt. Olive, NC 28365

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Rhodes family, and online condolences may be sent to www.shumate-faulk.com.