Rebecca Jane Vanlear Rhodes

Rebecca Jane VanLear Rhodes, 78, passed away peacefully October 13, 2021 at Brookdale Staunton.

Becky was the daughter of Frank and Mildred (Brooks) VanLear and the widow of Robert A. Rhodes, all of whom preceded her in death. She was born in Waynesboro, Virginia January 25, 1943. She moved to Staunton at age 11, growing up here when farms inside the city limits were still common. She used to ride her horse, Fancy, from her girlhood home on Waverley Street to Gypsy Hill Park. She is a 1961 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. She met Bob in 1958 and they were married in 1962 until his death in 2008, residing in Staunton. Becky was employed for more than 30 years by Planters Bank. She was excellent at customer service and one was hard pressed to go on an outing in the community with her without running into someone she knew, always with a friendly greeting.

Becky is survived by her son Brian, his wife Melanie and her beloved granddaughters, Aubrey and Victoria Rhodes, and step grandson Benjamin Alvarado. She also is survived by her dear friends Linda and Howard Lickliter, Fred and Betty Hale, and Dianna Shifflet. She had a special sister-in-law, Fonda Rohn of Richmond.

Mom loved flowers. We welcome flowers of every variety and color. For folks who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the Rhodes Family supports the Navy and Marine Corp Relief Society, an organization that assists service members in times of crisis and need.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm, Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Henry Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2021 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor Robert D. McCarty. The family requests all attendees wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Burial will be private.

Honorary pallbearers will be Fred and Betty Hale, Howard and Linda Lickliter, Dianna Shifflet, Cathy Elder, Matthew Woods, Eric Beltz, John Bowman, John Riley and Lorenzo Moore.

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Brookdale Staunton and Clare Bridge, as well as Kindred Hospice, for their kind and compassionate care of Becky throughout her residence.