Celebrating the life of
Genevieve Olson Rhoads
May 10, 1920 - October 31, 2013
Savannah – Genevieve June Olson Rhoads Mrs. Walter D. Rhoads, Jr., age 93, died at home, with her daughters by her side, on Thursday, October 31, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter D. Rhoads, Jr.
Born in 1920 in Edgeley, North Dakota, she was a daughter of the late Margaret Scheel Olson and the late Ole Alexander Olson. She attended North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority, Delta Psi Kappa sorority for athletes, and Phi Upsilon Omicron honorary sorority for home economics. She graduated in 1942 with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics. She completed an internship in Hospital Dietetics at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and then joined the U.S. Army's Hospital Corps, following her sister and twin brother into service during World War II. She spent a year as a Special Diets Dietician, First Lieutenant, at 157 General Hospital near Chester, England.
While in England, First Lieutenant Olson met Walter Daniel Rhoads, Jr., a native of Macon, Georgia and a Captain in the 80th Division, U.S. Army. Miss Olson married Mr. Rhoads on January 20, 1946 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Thereafter, they settled in Macon, Georgia. In 1950, they moved to Savannah, where Mr. Rhoads joined the firm of O'Brien and Spillane, CPAs.
Mrs. Rhoads was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and served for 15 years as a Sunday School teacher and for 18 years as Chair of St. Paul's Care Group, a ministry she began. She was a member of the Savannah Symphony Women's Guild and the Parkersburg Garden Club. Her volunteer work included the Pink Ladies at Memorial Hospital, Georgia Radio Reading Service for the Blind, and Hospice Savannah in its formative years.
A beloved wife and mother, Mrs. Rhoads is survived, and will be deeply missed, by her three daughters and their families, The Rev. Patricia Rhoads Davis and CDR Rodney M. Davis, USN Ret., of Savannah; Pamela Rhoads Allen and Steven H. Allen of Savannah; and Kathleen Rhoads Briola and Donald A. Briola of Rosman, North Carolina. She also is survived by two granddaughters and their husbands: Genevieve Davis Zetlan and Scott D. Zetlan of Herndon, Virginia, and Margaret Davis Baxton and John W. Baxton of Charlottesville, Virginia; three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Rhoads was predeceased by her sister Joyous Olson Dunn of Titusville, Florida and her twin brother, Stephen Scheel Olson of Louisville, Kentucky.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 W. 31st Street, Savannah. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's, followed by burial in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Commander Rodney M. Davis, USN Ret., Steven H. Allen, Donald A. Briola, and Robert A. Shuman.
The family suggests any remembrances be made in Mrs. Rhoads's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 10 W. 31st St., Savannah, GA 31401 or to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
To the Family of Ms. Olson Rhoads, I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. No doubt, many will feel the loss of such a dear loved one. But you can take comfort that sickness and death will soon be a thing of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will swallow up death forever, and,...will wipe away the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 25:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
Kathy: Sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. 912-663-6189
- Charlie Strickland, Savannah, GA
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful mother. Her write -up told an interesting story of her life and her love for her family. Please know you are in my prayers.
- Jody Gillette, , GA
She was one of my mother's Vicky Javo best friends. My condolences to her three daughters and their families.
- Nick Javo, Savannah, GA
We are truly saddened by the loss of Aunt Genevieve. She was blessed with the good fortune, of leading such a colorful and long life, while here on this earth. God, has now taken another angel home to be with him and a very special one indeed. We will keep the family in prayer, as you all go through this very hard time and loss in your lives. May he send a comforter to each of you. God Speed, Aunt Genevieve!
- Jimmy & Karen Dunn, Titusville, FL
To the Family of Ms. Olson Rhoads, I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. No doubt, many will feel the loss of such a dear loved one. But you can take comfort that sickness and death will soon be a thing of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will swallow up death forever, and,...will wipe away the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 25:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
Kathy: Sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. 912-663-6189
- Charlie Strickland, Savannah, GA
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful mother. Her write -up told an interesting story of her life and her love for her family. Please know you are in my prayers.
- Jody Gillette, , GA
She was one of my mother's Vicky Javo best friends. My condolences to her three daughters and their families.
- Nick Javo, Savannah, GA
We are truly saddened by the loss of Aunt Genevieve. She was blessed with the good fortune, of leading such a colorful and long life, while here on this earth. God, has now taken another angel home to be with him and a very special one indeed. We will keep the family in prayer, as you all go through this very hard time and loss in your lives. May he send a comforter to each of you. God Speed, Aunt Genevieve!
- Jimmy & Karen Dunn, Titusville, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
