Rhoda H. Royer's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Rhoda H. Royer, age 96 of Charleston, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon. Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of God located at 1225 Montgomery Drive in Charleston. Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with Pastor Walter Truex officiating. Interment will follow in the Kickapoo Cemetery located south of Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the First Church of God. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Rhoda was born on March 25, 1917 in Kansas, Illinois and was a daughter of the late Walter A. and Anna (Melton) Hendrix. She was previously married to John Howlett prior to her marriage to Robert Royer on February 22, 1947. Rhoda and Robert celebrated forty-nine years of marriage prior to his death on February 23, 1996. She is survived by a son, Clinton Leon Howlett and wife Ruth of Westfield, IL and a daughter, Marianna Anderson and husband Jim of Oreana, IL; seven grandchildren, Debbie Jones, Sheley Howlett and Mary (Todd) Edwards, all of Westfield, Lisa Slater of Martinsville, IL, Kent (Tara) Anderson of Avon, IN, Kevin (Jennifer)Anderson of Sartell, MN, Kristin (Tim) Driscoll of Morrison, CO; 18 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Rhoda was preceded in death by an infant son; two brothers, Leo and Pearcy Hendrix; and three sisters, Maxine Cook, Olive White and Doris Wilson. Rhoda was a long-time employee of the Brown Shoe Company and retired when they closed the doors at their Charleston location in 1985. She was a woman of faith and a member of the First Church of God where she was actively involved with various church activities, served as a Sunday School teacher and as a member of the Missionary Society. Rhoda was a gifted artist who enjoyed drawing and oil painting. Each summer she looked forward to tending her beautiful flower gardens and raising delicious garden produce. Her family will always remember the many wonderfully delicious meals which she prepared in addition to the various other ways in which she cared for them. She extended her loving kindnesses to all she met but there was a special place in her heart for the little children. Those who knew this special lady as mom, grandma, great-grandma and friend have many fond memories to cherish and hold dear.
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