John B. Rhodes, 74, of 1224 Bethel Road, Troy, husband of Diana Nichols Rhodes, died Sunday, September 15, 2002 at Self Regional Medical Center.

Born in Mineral Wells, TX, he was a son of the late Jack Rhodes and Lena Rhodes Pierce and stepson of the late Levy Pierce. He was a US Army and US Marine veteran, having served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Rhodes was a retired farm manager for Marbin Farms in Covington, GA and was the recepient of the Greenwood Rotary Club's 1999 Agriculturist of the Year Award.

He was a member of Bold Spring Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and taught the Men's Bible Class. He was instumental in the Challenge to Build fundraiser program for the church.

Surviving are his wife of the home; his children, John Steven Rhodes of Ninety Six, Virginia L. Rhodes of Cincinnati, OH, Mary R. White (George) of Bonneou, SC and Julia R. Gilchrist (Richard) of Hodges; sisters, Mary R. Hunt of Harrison, AK, Ann R. Prowse of Cookeville, TN and Margaret R. Bateman of Jacksonville, TX; brothers, Jack Rhodes of Harrison, AK, Don Rhodes of Victorville, CA and William S. Rhodes of Greenwood; grandchildren, Christina L. White of Greenwood, John B. White of Bonneou, SC, Ruairi K. Rhodes of Cincinnati, OH and Nicholas C. Gilchrist of Hodges; eight step grandchildren and five step great grandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bold Spring Baptist Church with the Rev. Chris Garrison, the Rev. Archie Evans and the Rev. David Evans officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Cook, Danny Harvley, Ben Scurry, Andrew Cook, Eshane Cooley, Tommy Sullivan and Travis Stevens.

Honorary escort will be members of the Men's Bible Class of Bold Spring Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m.

The family is at the home.

Memorials may be made to the Challenge to Build Fund, c/o Bold Spring Baptist Church, 1321 Reedy Creek Road, Bradley, SC 29819.