Fern Rhodes

Fern Rhodes, daughter of the late Robert Lawhorn and Spicy Bradshaw, was born November 9, 1945, in Fowler, Missouri. She passed away May 17, 2024, at her home in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 78 years, 6 months, and 8 days of age.

Fern married Dean Wiyrick on May 26, 1962. Three children were born to this union. Living in numerous places, Fern made her home in Mountain Grove in 1966. After working as a housewife for many years, she decided to work in Houston, Missouri, at Brown Shoe Factory. Building a new house, she moved to north Mountain Grove and became a bookkeeper for their sawmilling business. As time went by, she decided to go back to the shoe factory with the “Best Bunch of Girls” anybody could ask for.  She said she never hesitated to go to work because she had such a good group of friends to work with.  On April 8, 1984, Fern met and married the love of her life, Cecil Rhodes, adding a daughter Charlotte to this union.

Fern continued working at Brown Shoe Factory until its closing.  She decided to go to school to become an LPN and graduated from Nursing School on August 10, 1995.  Fern worked as an LPN for many doctors and nursing facilities, and retired in 2011 from Ozark Medical Center.

After retirement, Fern enjoyed being home more than anything. She mowed the yard, made a small garden, planted flowers, and enjoyed doing things with her sisters, especially yard sales.  She was also the occasional babysitter for the grandbabies. When she wanted to, Fern enjoyed watching movies all night long, and Sunday football games. Only a few rules applied at Grandma’s house, DON’T STAND IN FRONT OF THE TV was number 1. If Downton Abbey was on, DON’T TALK, because she loved that show.

Kids were allowed to run, play, and make messes because they were only small once. Fern truly enjoyed the grandbabies. She would even set an alarm just to get up and stand on the porch each morning to wave at the grandkids before getting on the school bus.

Fern was baptized as a small child and rededicated her life to the Lord when she was recently hospitalized. 

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, three sisters, husband, one son-in-law, and four great-grandchildren. 

She leaves behind her children, Terri Keehner of Cabool, Donna (Lee) Melton of Mountain Grove, and Joe Wiyrick of Deepwater, 12 grandchildren, Tressa (Ray) Gawel, Joshua (Amanda) Keehner, Anthony (Hope) Keehner, Kaleb (Lorissa) Simpson, Megan Brill (Zach), Dakota (Priscilla) Melton, Kaylee Melton, Denisha (Scott) Throgmorton, Jennette (Tony) MacArthur, Dakota (Ann) Wiyrick, Amber (Mitchell) Lutz, and Jennifer Bradshaw. Fern also had 26 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Until we see you again we will hold our head up high, laugh out loud, and dance.

Donations may be made to Lone Star Cemetery in care of the funeral home.