Services for Edith L. Rhoads, 95, will be held on Friday, December 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 17, 2009. Reverend Kevin Kissel of Faith United Methodist Church will officiate. Mrs. Rhoads passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2009, at The Meadows Nursing Home in Orange. Arrangements are under the direction of Claybar Funeral home in Orange.
Edith was born on October 30, 1914, in Erie PA. She was the daughter of Fred Landon and Lizzie Ward Landon. She was one of 10 brothers and sisters, all of whom have preceded her in death.
She spent her early years in Sandy Lake PA., where she met and married her husband of 55 years, Ben Rhoads. Their early years together were spent in the family owned machine shop business, producing parts for the war effort. They later opened an Appliance and Sporting Goods store in Sandy Lake PA. In 1954, they moved their family to Orange, and took ownership of the Dairy Queen on Park Avenue. That Store was built in 1945, and when it was demolished in 1974, to make way for the new building now still standing, was the oldest continuously operating Dairy Queen in the State of Texas. They owned the Orange County franchise for Dairy Queen, and continued in the business, eventually opening 3 more Stores in Orange County. They operated them until 1975, when they were sold due to Mr. Rhoads' failing health. He eventually passed away in 1997. She was a longtime member of the former Park Avenue Methodist Church, now Faith United Methodist Church. Edith enjoyed knitting and sharing with her family and friends, over the years an untold number of wool gloves, baby clothes, wool caps, and afghans. This hobby continued until her failing eyesight resulted in her finally laying down her knitting needles. She and her husband enjoyed traveling in their later years together. They enjoyed many summers at the family cottage in the Allegheny Mountains of PA. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Lizzie Landon, her nine siblings, her husband, Ben Rhoads, daughters¬-in¬-law, Jan Ricks Rhoads, Susan Mancil Rhoads, and, Grandson, Ben H. Rhoads III. She is survived by her three children, Benny Rhoads & wife Lillie Brady Rhoads, son, Bartley Rhoads, daughter, Claire Rhoads Smith and husband Bill O. Smith. She also is survived by five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Building Fund of Faith United Methodist Church.