Charles Ernest Rhodes

   Charles Ernest Rhodes, age 92, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024,  at West Tennessee Transitional Care. He was born in Scotts Hill, TN on November 14, 1931. A longtime resident of Jackson, he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Tarlton Rhodes; his father, Ernest Rhodes; his mother, Lucille Lassiter Rhodes; his brothers, Sammy Rhodes and Earl Rhodes, and his sister, Mary Ann Woody.

   He is survived by his daughter, Charli Manheim; his sisters, Peggy Coates (Meredith) and Kay Rickman, and his granddaughter, Deborah Harrell (Lee).

   As a young man he went to work in his father’s garage. At the age of 19, he bought the garage and maintained part ownership of his father’s sawmill. Following several years driving a truck delivering lumber and watermelons, he obtained his license and began selling real estate.

   In 1964, Charles, along with his wife Donna and daughter, Charli, moved to Jackson and began developing property across the city, most notably the commercial property in the Carriage House Drive area, as well as Highland Avenue in midtown. In addition, he developed and built many residential buildings, including apartments, houses and town homes.

   After several years attending a non-denominational church, Charles and Donna joined First United Methodist Church in 2001 where he participated in the Pastor’s Bible Study and the Men’s Coffee and Conversation group. He was proud to share that his grandparents had helped build the 150-year-old Methodist Church in Scotts Hill and cherished a 7-day trip to the Holy Land.

   Among his many enthusiasms, Charles was an avid car lover and long-time member of the Parkway Christian Car Club where he enjoyed taking part in activities benefiting local charities as well as St. Jude Children’s Hospital. In addition, he was an experienced pilot who loved to fly his Cessna to many cities around the southeast. Charles and Donna shared a love for travel and were known to take their Winnebago from coast to coast, Maine to California, often with their granddaughter Deborah along for the ride.

SERVICE: A graveside service for Charles will be held Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mausoleum at Highland Memorial Gardens with Rev. Sky McCracken officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 1:00PM until service time at the mausoleum.

   The family wishes to thank his special caregivers for their dedicated care.

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Church Street, Jackson, TN 38301 or online at www.jacksonfumc.org.

Arrington Funeral Directors   148 W. University Parkway   Jackson, TN  38305

731-668-1111   arringtonfuneraldirectors.com