Loretta Faye Rhodes died in her home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday March 17.  She was 91.

Born Jan 9,1935 in Broadway, Virginia, Faye was the 3rd youngest of 10 children born to Garnett and Minnie (Roadcap) Reamer. She grew up on a farm along the North Fork in Broadway where her family grew, harvested, and preserved all their food. She carried and used that knowledge and those skills into her adult life and shared them with her kids and grandkids. She held fond memories of swimming in the river and climbing the "big leaf tree" that grew in the front yard.

She graduated from Broadway High School where she was a band majorette, played on the basketball team, served as editor in chief of her school's newspaper and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. It was also during this time that she met her future husband.

On July 3,1954 Faye married James (Jim) Rhodes, and they began building a life and creating a family together. After years of renting houses and living with local family, they settled in their Tenth Legion home where they raised their 7 children. Although she was always busy caring for her children and grandchildren, her home also provided a safe haven for extended family and friends to come and enjoy great food, deep conversation, laughter, or a place to rest.

As an adult she was involved in the community through Bethlehem UCC. She served on committees, was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. She made many meaningful friendships there.

When all of Faye's children were in (or finished with) school she accepted a position with the Broadway post office as a substitute rural mail carrier for Route 3. She was their first female carrier and went on to deliver mail full time until she retired in 1995.

After retirement she was even more attuned to the needs and lives of her family-always willing to care for her grandchildren, or a family dog, help dig a hole for a new tree, paint a room(s), give decorating advice, plan a party, make meals etc. She LOVED babies and delighted in her grandchildren. They each had their own special bond with her. As they grew, she continued connecting with them regularly and was always interested in who they were becoming and what direction their interests were taking them in. Her family jokes that she was their Google before Google existed because she had the answer to most of their questions and was often getting phone calls for this reason. Faye was not only smart but wise, and she gave her counsel, love and labor freely and unconditionally, not just with family, but with anyone who asked.

As years passed and life grew a little more quiet she spent her time taking care of her home, inside and out. In the warm months she would tend to her flower containers and beds, mow and weed eat her yard, and she always made sure she had some good tomatoes growing. She also spent a lot of time on the swing on the deck admiring the view of the mountain and watching the birds and other wildlife. She was an avid reader. Although she read any time of the year, winter allowed the opportunity to indulge that passion. She enjoyed good fiction but was even more inclined to books that nourished introspection and exploration of her inner life.

Faye created her life and home on a foundation of constant love, warmth and grace. Her family hopes she'll be remembered for these qualities and for her radiant smile.

Faye is survived by her seven children, Martin Rhodes (Annette) of Richmond; Kent Rhodes (Teresa) of Esmont; Steven "Dusty" Rhodes (Donita) of Harrisonburg; Lisa Rhodes-Strickler (Robert) of Linville; Scott Rhodes (Valerie) of Tenth Legion; Kelley Morris (Bo) of Tenth Legion; Jill Rhodes (Bob Andersen) of Tenth Legion; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandson, three sisters-in-law, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VPAS/Virginia Programs for Aging Services or to the non-profit of your choice.

There will be no viewing and burial will be private. In honor of Faye, the family will hold an open house reception at her home, in Tenth Legion, on Saturday May 9, from 1-4pm.