Shooting victim at Lane Bryant Store at Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park, Illinois on Saturday, February 2, 2008:
McFarland, Rhoda C. (Hamilton), age 42 years, died suddenly Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Born in Joliet, LTHS Class of 1984. US Air Force Veteran. Formerly employed at Nicor Corp. Served as an associate Pastor at Embassy Christian Center. Currently managing the Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park.
'A Giving Person'
McFarland, an ordained minister who began working at the clothing retailer after her Crest Hill church closed, spent the past two years as store manager. Previously, she was a supervisor at Nicor in New Lenox.
Her best friend, Sandra McGhee of Joliet, said the 42-year-old was a hopeful, prayerful woman.
"Because I know her so well, I think to the end Rhoda might have even tried to talk to this man, tried to help him," McGhee said. "Even with her last breath, I believe she would have been forgiving him and trying to help him. That's what gives me peace in all of this."
The church played a significant role in McFarland's life, her family said.
"The Lord has an angel in heaven, and her name is Rhoda McFarland," said one family member.
McFarland served her country in the Air Force for several years, working as a nurse at Andrews Air Force Base, her family said.
"Rhoda's passion was helping everybody. If you ran into her, she would have helped you," said her friend Anthony Franklin, of Joliet. "She just was a giving person in every manner of the word."
Rhoda's passions were writing and helping other to find their passions, he said. To that end, she started a program called Princess Unveiled a few years ago.
"Basically it was a program to teach the girls etiquette and guide them to help them to grow up to be young, productive women," Franklin said. "She did have plans to continue it and she was planning on expanding it to other churches and other areas."
Survived by her mother, Barbara L. Parish-Hamilton; and father, Hilton (Carolyn) Hamilton; three brothers, Hilton L. (Chiante) Hamilton, Maurice L. (Sue) Hamilton and Vincent (Dena) Hamilton; one sister, Chrystal (Duwayne) Poston of Austin, Texas; maternal grandmother, Lula M. Parish; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive; a fiance, Stewart Gibbs.
Visitation Saturday, 10 AM. Funeral Services will be Saturday, 11:00 AM at The Word of Life Christian Center. Pastors Tim and Adam Bagwell, officiating. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery (known as Woodlawn Memorial Park II). Visitation Friday, 2-9 PM at the Word of Life Christian Center (1500 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill). Range Funeral Home, 202 S Eastern Ave., Joliet, IL 60433,(815) 722-2215.
McFarland, Rhoda C. (Hamilton), age 42 years, died suddenly Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Born in Joliet, LTHS Class of 1984. US Air Force Veteran. Formerly employed at Nicor Corp. Served as an associate Pastor at Embassy Christian Center. Currently managing the Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park.
'A Giving Person'
McFarland, an ordained minister who began working at the clothing retailer after her Crest Hill church closed, spent the past two years as store manager. Previously, she was a supervisor at Nicor in New Lenox.
Her best friend, Sandra McGhee of Joliet, said the 42-year-old was a hopeful, prayerful woman.
"Because I know her so well, I think to the end Rhoda might have even tried to talk to this man, tried to help him," McGhee said. "Even with her last breath, I believe she would have been forgiving him and trying to help him. That's what gives me peace in all of this."
The church played a significant role in McFarland's life, her family said.
"The Lord has an angel in heaven, and her name is Rhoda McFarland," said one family member.
McFarland served her country in the Air Force for several years, working as a nurse at Andrews Air Force Base, her family said.
"Rhoda's passion was helping everybody. If you ran into her, she would have helped you," said her friend Anthony Franklin, of Joliet. "She just was a giving person in every manner of the word."
Rhoda's passions were writing and helping other to find their passions, he said. To that end, she started a program called Princess Unveiled a few years ago.
"Basically it was a program to teach the girls etiquette and guide them to help them to grow up to be young, productive women," Franklin said. "She did have plans to continue it and she was planning on expanding it to other churches and other areas."
Survived by her mother, Barbara L. Parish-Hamilton; and father, Hilton (Carolyn) Hamilton; three brothers, Hilton L. (Chiante) Hamilton, Maurice L. (Sue) Hamilton and Vincent (Dena) Hamilton; one sister, Chrystal (Duwayne) Poston of Austin, Texas; maternal grandmother, Lula M. Parish; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive; a fiance, Stewart Gibbs.
Visitation Saturday, 10 AM. Funeral Services will be Saturday, 11:00 AM at The Word of Life Christian Center. Pastors Tim and Adam Bagwell, officiating. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery (known as Woodlawn Memorial Park II). Visitation Friday, 2-9 PM at the Word of Life Christian Center (1500 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill). Range Funeral Home, 202 S Eastern Ave., Joliet, IL 60433,(815) 722-2215.
Shooting victim at Lane Bryant Store at Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park, Illinois on Saturday, February 2, 2008:
McFarland, Rhoda C. (Hamilton), age 42 years, died suddenly Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Born in Joliet, LTHS Class of 1984. US Air Force Veteran. Formerly employed at Nicor Corp. Served as an associate Pastor at Embassy Christian Center. Currently managing the Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park.
'A Giving Person'
McFarland, an ordained minister who began working at the clothing retailer after her Crest Hill church closed, spent the past two years as store manager. Previously, she was a supervisor at Nicor in New Lenox.
Her best friend, Sandra McGhee of Joliet, said the 42-year-old was a hopeful, prayerful woman.
"Because I know her so well, I think to the end Rhoda might have even tried to talk to this man, tried to help him," McGhee said. "Even with her last breath, I believe she would have been forgiving him and trying to help him. That's what gives me peace in all of this."
The church played a significant role in McFarland's life, her family said.
"The Lord has an angel in heaven, and her name is Rhoda McFarland," said one family member.
McFarland served her country in the Air Force for several years, working as a nurse at Andrews Air Force Base, her family said.
"Rhoda's passion was helping everybody. If you ran into her, she would have helped you," said her friend Anthony Franklin, of Joliet. "She just was a giving person in every manner of the word."
Rhoda's passions were writing and helping other to find their passions, he said. To that end, she started a program called Princess Unveiled a few years ago.
"Basically it was a program to teach the girls etiquette and guide them to help them to grow up to be young, productive women," Franklin said. "She did have plans to continue it and she was planning on expanding it to other churches and other areas."
Survived by her mother, Barbara L. Parish-Hamilton; and father, Hilton (Carolyn) Hamilton; three brothers, Hilton L. (Chiante) Hamilton, Maurice L. (Sue) Hamilton and Vincent (Dena) Hamilton; one sister, Chrystal (Duwayne) Poston of Austin, Texas; maternal grandmother, Lula M. Parish; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive; a fiance, Stewart Gibbs.
Visitation Saturday, 10 AM. Funeral Services will be Saturday, 11:00 AM at The Word of Life Christian Center. Pastors Tim and Adam Bagwell, officiating. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery (known as Woodlawn Memorial Park II). Visitation Friday, 2-9 PM at the Word of Life Christian Center (1500 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill). Range Funeral Home, 202 S Eastern Ave., Joliet, IL 60433,(815) 722-2215.
McFarland, Rhoda C. (Hamilton), age 42 years, died suddenly Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Born in Joliet, LTHS Class of 1984. US Air Force Veteran. Formerly employed at Nicor Corp. Served as an associate Pastor at Embassy Christian Center. Currently managing the Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park.
'A Giving Person'
McFarland, an ordained minister who began working at the clothing retailer after her Crest Hill church closed, spent the past two years as store manager. Previously, she was a supervisor at Nicor in New Lenox.
Her best friend, Sandra McGhee of Joliet, said the 42-year-old was a hopeful, prayerful woman.
"Because I know her so well, I think to the end Rhoda might have even tried to talk to this man, tried to help him," McGhee said. "Even with her last breath, I believe she would have been forgiving him and trying to help him. That's what gives me peace in all of this."
The church played a significant role in McFarland's life, her family said.
"The Lord has an angel in heaven, and her name is Rhoda McFarland," said one family member.
McFarland served her country in the Air Force for several years, working as a nurse at Andrews Air Force Base, her family said.
"Rhoda's passion was helping everybody. If you ran into her, she would have helped you," said her friend Anthony Franklin, of Joliet. "She just was a giving person in every manner of the word."
Rhoda's passions were writing and helping other to find their passions, he said. To that end, she started a program called Princess Unveiled a few years ago.
"Basically it was a program to teach the girls etiquette and guide them to help them to grow up to be young, productive women," Franklin said. "She did have plans to continue it and she was planning on expanding it to other churches and other areas."
Survived by her mother, Barbara L. Parish-Hamilton; and father, Hilton (Carolyn) Hamilton; three brothers, Hilton L. (Chiante) Hamilton, Maurice L. (Sue) Hamilton and Vincent (Dena) Hamilton; one sister, Chrystal (Duwayne) Poston of Austin, Texas; maternal grandmother, Lula M. Parish; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive; a fiance, Stewart Gibbs.
Visitation Saturday, 10 AM. Funeral Services will be Saturday, 11:00 AM at The Word of Life Christian Center. Pastors Tim and Adam Bagwell, officiating. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery (known as Woodlawn Memorial Park II). Visitation Friday, 2-9 PM at the Word of Life Christian Center (1500 Cedarwood Drive, Crest Hill). Range Funeral Home, 202 S Eastern Ave., Joliet, IL 60433,(815) 722-2215.
