LACERENE BURNS RHODES

Lacerene Burns Rhodes fondly known by family and friends as "Mae West" or "MawMaw" was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1918 in Norphlet, Arkansas. She was the 4th of ten siblings of Jake and Pearl Palmer Burns. She was preceded in death by her parents,her husband Reverend Curtis Rhodes, Sr.,one son, Michael Rhodes; two brothers, George Burns and Melvin Burns; four sisters Fannie Hicks, Odessa Bradley, Albertine Kennedy and Naomi Tate. Lacerene is a 1935 graduated of Smith High School in Norphlet, Arkansas. She worked at Smackover Nursing Home and Hudson as an Aide. She was later employed by Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Schultz. Lacerene accepted Christ at an early age and united with New Providence Baptist Church. She was a member of Mt. Zion in Norphlet, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and subsequently united with the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Family in El Dorado, Arkansas, where she served as an Honorary Church Mother and remained a faithful member until she was called into eternity on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. At an early age she met and married the love of her life, Reverend Curtis Rhodes, Sr. She then became the Preacher's Wife, a title she lifted up and respected as the First Lady! An Original Diva in her own rights, she jeweled the town with her Designer Styles and her to die for High Heels! Curtis and Lacy were blessed in their union with six beautiful children. Her loving memories will be cherished by one son, Curtis R. Rhodes, Jr. and his wife Sara of Smackover, Arkansas, four daughters, Willye Faye Lowery of Smackover, Arkansas, Dorothy Ann Smith and her husband James of Norphlet, Arkansas, Rosa "Tammy" McMurrian and her husband Jacob of Norphlet, Arkansas and Connie Gibson and her husband Wayne of El Dorado, Arkansas; thirteen grandchildren, Rev. Barry Dobson and his wife Vicky, Rev. Felton Burgie and his wife, Jackie, Nicky Thomas and his friend Doris, Sheri Dobson, Cedric Rhodes, Lesley Rhodes, Constance Dobson, Crissy Thomas,Brian Rhodes and his wife Julia and Brandon Rhodes and his wife Kim, Jennifer Johnson and her husband Gerrard, Jamarrion Stevenson and Jacoby McMurrian and his friend Ashley; Her great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Mia, Jameisha, Shammon, Jarius, Tedrick, Maceo,Philea, Briana, Summer and Tiah, Markayla,Marshayla and Elida Lesley Tedrick, Nickolaus,Carlos, Brianna Taylor, Bo, Laci and Jakovyn.; one brother, Jake Burns of Compton, California; two sisters, Lonnie Kilgore of Jackson, Michigan and Earnestine Pipin of Los Angeles, California; a host of nephews, neices, other relatives and friends. Her caregivers, Wendy Bullock, Beverly Cain and Kathy Mays. A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 11,2013 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Felton Burgie and Rev. Barry Dobson officiating. Interment will follow in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Norphlet, Arkansas under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. A family hour will be held on Friday, January 11, 2014 at St. John MBC, 1018 East Wilson, El Dorado, Arkansas from 5-7 p.m. today. Visitation at the funeral home will be today, January 10, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. The family will be at 106 Church Street, Norphlet, Arkansas. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of LACERENE BURNS RHODES, please visit our flower store.