Mary Helen Rhodes

Mary Helen Rhodes, known affectionately as "Nana" or "Granny" by her family, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 11, 2025, in Raleigh, NC at the age of 80. She was born the day after Christmas December 26, 1944 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Rupert and Mary Magdalene Williams. She was a beautiful Christmas gift to her parents. Mary was born in Virginia, but her family raised her in Apex, NC, a small town that she always called home.

Mary Helen is preceded in death by her father Rupert, mother Mary Magdalene, and her brother Lonnie Harold Williams.

Mary Helen is survived by husband, Linwood Ray Rhodes; daughter, Beverly Thompson; daughter, Stephanie Arnold; Son in law, Michael Arnold; six grandchildren, Kenneth Ray Thomas III (wife, Kimberly Thomas); Eric Thompson (wife, Allyson Thompson); Ashley Arnold; Austin Arnold; Ashton Arnold; Aniston Arnold; and two great grandchildren, Kenlee Thomas and Kristopher Thomas.

Mary Helen Lived a full life with family and friends. She worked hard and began her career in Flower Arranging at Carolina Wholesalers in Fuquay-Varina. She went on to continue in this career with Varity Wholesalers in Fuquay. She even continued after retirement to do floral design as her side hobby because she had a gift for design and a love for decorating anything with flowers. She was very passionate about decorating her home and extended that to her family and friends.

Mary Helen had two favorite things that she loved to do with her spare time. She loved going to Topsail Beach to fish, enjoy the ocean, visit her favorite restaurant, last but not least visit her favorite Thrift Stores. Mary Helen enjoyed Topsail Beach where she lived for a while. She made a lot of friends while living at the beach. Her beach house at Topsail Beach was her "Happy Place". Mary Helen's second favorite thing was visiting every Thrift Store she could find wherever she went. She had her favorite thrift stores that she visited daily near her home in Raleigh, NC. She made wonderful friends at these stores and she found items that someone else no longer needed but she found a way to make them into her treasures. She would be disappointed if she missed her weekly visit to talk to her friends. This was her other "Happy Place".

We would like to thank the staff and nurses at Transitions LifeCare for their care and compassion during this difficult time. Transitions served our family in our time of need and we are very grateful.

Her celebration of Life will be held August 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.