Vernon Otis " Dusty" Rhodes
March 4, 1925 - October 14, 2021

Vernon "Dusty" Rhodes of Stanley, NC , formerly of Asheville, NC and Lake Wylie, SC, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the age of 96.

Entering this world on March 4, 1925, Mr. Rhodes was the seventh of 11 children born to Will Albert and Minnie Ducker Rhodes in the tiny mountain community of Avery's Creek, NC.

Mr. Rhodes lived a remarkable life, serving in the US Navy during WWII and landing on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. "Dusty" played minor league baseball from 1947-1949 for the Rocky Mount Leafs, Hendersonville Skylarks, Raleigh Capitols and Mooresville Moors. Having a life-long interest in team sports, Dusty worked for years as an official at high school and college athletic events.

He married the love of his life, Mary Evelyn Carringer of Murphy, NC in 1948, and together they raised four great children. He is a graduate of Western Carolina Teacher's College, and retired from his job as Director of Labor Relations at American Enka Corporation after 36 years of service.

A man of strong faith and compassion for others, he served on the Board of the Presbyterian Children's Home in Asheville and was active in the Bill Glass Prison Ministry.

Mr. Rhodes is survived by his children Linda Walker, and husband Jeff of Clover, SC; Marty Long, and husband John of Stanley, NC; Ruth Gaddy of Asheville, NC, and Randall V. Rhodes and wife Donna of Sophia, NC. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Rhodes Carter, sister-in-law Arbie C. Rhodes, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2021, at the First Baptist Church, Clover, SC. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the Church. Committal service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC.