(03/23/41 – 06/25/23)

Ruth Elaine Rivers-Rhodes, 82, took the hand of Jesus and was ushered into glory at 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 25, 2023, from her home in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, after an extended illness.

She was born on March 23, 1941, the oldest of six children, to Ruth Elizabeth (Harris) Rivers and Huey Rivers, Sr., in Chillicothe, Ohio. She graduated from Chillicothe High School in June of 1959 and attended the Chillicothe branch of Ohio University.

She was blessed with two daughters, Natalie L. Johnson and Michele Y. Rhodes from a past union whom she devoted her life to raising resiliently.

She answered with fidelity the call on her life at an early age, first attending Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Chillicothe, Ohio. On July 29, 1969, she was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost at First Apostolic Faith Church, Akron, Ohio, under Bishop Francis L. Smith. She was ordained as an Evangelist on December 17, 1978, under Bishop Purvis Brooks at Greater Community Pentecostal Church of God, Cleveland, Ohio. Evangelist Rhodes carried the gospel of Christ to the nations under the tutelage of Hannah Ministries serving as Missionary and traveling to the Dominican Republic on four mission trips.

Elaine, as her family affectionately called her, absolutely adored, and loved her family. Anyone that was blessed to cross her path knew that she was a true woman of God. Even in sickness she continued to praise and worship her Lord and Savior. During her final chapter she was taken care of at home by her loving, loyal, and devoted family: her “Dynamic Duo,” daughter, Michele, and granddaughter, Brittany, “The Apple of Her Eye,” grandson, Jarred, and “Her Star,” granddaughter, Jasmine. While Elaine only had two biological daughters, two granddaughters, and one grandson, she was a mother and grandmother to many, including her bonus daughter, Robyn Jackson, and honorary grandchildren, John Davis, Jr., Bonita Ellis, Christopher Fullen, Wesley Fullen, Jr., Whitney Lambert, and Natasha Lemon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Elizabeth (Harris) Rivers and Huey Rivers, Sr., brothers, Michael D. Rivers and Huey Rivers, Jr., and grandson, Micah Davis.

Elaine leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Natalie Lynn Johnson of Akron, OH, and Michele Yvonne Rhodes of Reynoldsburg, OH; devoted and caring brother, David T. Rivers of New Albany, OH; sisters, Marilyn Prather and Karen Scott; sisters-in-law, Brenda Rivers of New Albany, OH, and Sherrie Rivers of Westerville, OH; four grandchildren, Brittany Rhodes-Hudson of Reynoldsburg, OH, Jonna Davis of Akron, OH, Jarred Rhodes of Columbus, OH, and Jasmine Burks of Columbus, OH; nine great-grandchildren, Aria Byrd, Ayana Rhodes, Gilan Burks, Gabriella Cathcart, Sophita-Rayne Davis, JaeShawn Burks, Makhi Davis, Bryson Burks, and Rory Rhodes; two nieces, Kimberly Lewis and Lauren Rivers; four nephews, David Davenport, Michael T. Rivers, Chad Rivers, and Stephen Rivers; godfamily, the Fullens; close family friends, the Alfreds; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, cherished cousins, other relatives, and friends.