Thomas Andrew "Andy" Rhodes

Mr. Thomas Andrew "Andy" Rhodes, 68, of Brooks, GA passed away Tuesday,

February 20, 2024, in Fayetteville, GA.

Andy was born on October 27, 1955, in Panama City, FL. He earned a

Bachelor's degree from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL, was a Certified

Public Accountant, and was employed by the Florida Department of Revenue for 45

years.

Andy loved cookies. Even as a very young child, he was a fast learner. He would

do anything for a cookie. As a baby, he would crawl up the stairs to the neighbor's front

door, knock, smile, and ask for a cookie. He sat down, ate it, and then knocked again.

(Andy and his sister would later swap cookie monster GIFs in their texts throughout life.)

Later, as a child in a military family, he was very popular with his Dad's Air Force

buddies while living in Hawaii. They loved to take Andy to get ice cream. They tagged

along with him at picnics just to play with him. He was like date bait for getting attention

– a junior wingman in the military dating sense.

Andy grew into a tall, imposing man, which might be scary since he was a tax

accountant. However, those that knew him found him to be a kind person with a clever

wit and a killer volleyball serve. He tried to put people at ease. He was always willing to

give a helping hand, whether it was his family, a friend, a neighbor, or a co-worker.

Even during his battle with cancer he remained encouraging to his care team. He

also never questioned God. Never showed anger. He always had his Candy Shop open

in his hospital room for the staff as they came by.

When Andy was not working, he would often be cooking, watching a cooking

show, or playing with his dog Koa. Andy loved his GIRLS – Beverly and Meredith. He

never failed to thank God for them when he prayed at meals.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Phillips Rhodes of Brooks; daughter and son

in-law, Meredith and Caleb Shuler of Sparta, TN; his mother, JoAnn Rhodes of Lynn

Haven, FL; sister, Julia Rhodes Ruschmann and her husband David Ruschmann, also

of Lynn Haven; and sister in-law, Patti Lynn Phillips of Brooks.

He was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Michael Rhodes; father, George

"Dusty" Rhodes; maternal grandparents, Thomas Henry Davis and Lula Mae Davis; and

paternal grandparents, James Andrew Rhodes and Mannio Mayday Rhodes; mother

in-law and father in-law, Mavis Moore Phillips and Lewis G. Phillips, Jr.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, in the

Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville, GA. Pastor Miguel

Vila, Sr. and Pastor Chuck Chambers will officiate. Interment will be in Myrtle Hill

Cemetery in Hogansville.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00

p.m., Saturday, prior to the service.

Condolences may be expressed at www.mckibbenfuneralhome.com

Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made in honorarium to

Saint Andrew's Baptist Church, Christian Care Center, in Panama City, Florida, his

childhood church. This ministry aligns with Andy's heart for helping and feeding others.

He would never wish to see any go without a hot, well prepared meal.

Instructions for Donations:

● Make checks payable to SACCC

● Mail to:

SACCC

3101 A West Hwy 98

Panama City, FL, 32401

● Memo: "In honor/memory of Andy Rhodes"