Maxine Rhoades, age 87, of Ozark, MO died on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024. She was born June 13, 1936, in Rocky Hill, Arkansas to Reverend Chester Roten and his wife Bernice.

She grew up in Leslie, Arkansas. She was the editor of her school paper and loved home economics. She also sang in her family’s quartet. After high school, she moved to South Bend, Indiana where she worked at the local radio station. It was there that she met her husband Wesley “Dusty” Rhoades. The two were married in 1955.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. After moving to Ozark, MO in 1974 she started working outside her home at the Ozark Bank from which she retired after 25 years of service. Maxine’s two favorite pastimes were Southern Gospel music and traveling with Dusty in their motorhome. She has been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Ozark since 1977. She especially loved the music program. She sang in the Choir, and in her later years joined the senior choir, the Vintage Voices.

Survivors include her children, Rhonda Preston and husband, Darrell of Greenfield, MO, Ron Rhoades and wife Mary Ann, of Sherwood, AR, Reverend Richard Rhoades and wife Sandra of Seymour, MO, as well as her stepchildren Greg Rhoades and wife Jeanne of Knightstown, IN, Denise Akers and husband Don of New Castle, IN, siblings Paul Roten and wife Kathy of Harrison, AR, Melveda England of Marshall, AR, and a host of precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Wesley Dean “Dusty” Rhoades, her parents Chester and Bernice, her brother and sister-in-law, Baxter and Denvalee Roten, and her stepdaughter Debra Kerr.

Services were held Thursday, March 28, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 1400 W. Jackson St Ozark, MO 65721, with Visitation from 11-12, Funeral Services from 12-1 and a Graveside to follow at 1:30.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.