Nathaniel Rhodes, 51, died Monday March 1, 2010 at the Tuomey Regional Healthcare System.  Born in the Wedgefield community of Sumter County, he was the eldest of three children born to the late Frank Washington and Azalee Rhodes.  Educated in the public schools of Sumter County, he was employed in numerous jobs in the construction industry.  He was raised in the Bethel AME Church in Wedgefield and attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter.  In his spare time, he enjoyed baseball, cartoons and spending time with his family.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Mary Ellen Rhodes and three aunts:  Betty Rhodes, Viola Baxter and Pearl Richardson.

 

Surviving are his son, Lavonta Croskey of Greenville, S.C.; two daughters, Shakama Croskey and Alisha Crosky of Sumter; three grandaughters:  Shawnquielle Croskey, Niyha Croskey and Lea Archie; three sisters, Carolyn (Herbert) Ford of Augusta, Ga., Elaine Rhodes and Melinda James of Sumter; two aunts, Gloria Jean (Eugene) Wells and Sarah (Michael) Tindal all of Sumter; eight uncles: Peter, Bobby, Sammy, Isaac and David Rhodes, Lawrence Baxter,Ricky Richardson all of Sumter and Eddie (Mildred) Rhodes of Baltimore, Md.; special friends, Joann Logan of Sumter and Kathleen Croskey of Wedgefield and a host of other relatives.

 

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Fulton St. with the pastor, Rev. Dr. James Blassingame, officiating, assisted by: Evangelist Savitrus McFadden and Minister Johnnie M. Gist..  Interment will follow in the Aycock Cemetery in Wedgefield.  Mr. Rhodes will be placed in the church for public viewing from 12:00 noon until the hour of service.  The public may view Mr. Rhodes at the Palmer Memorial Chapel from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m.  Friday evening. The family will receive friends at the residence of 1566 Paul Street in Sumter.  The funeral procession will depart from this location, 12:00 noon on Saturday.

On line memorials may be made to: palmermemorialchapel.com

Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of funeral arrangements