Steven Paul Rhoades

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Steven Paul Rhoades, our loving and devoted husband, brother and friend to all the lives he touched.  Steve was born in Clarksburg, WV on July 26, 1950 and was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully on August 15, 2019 at 10:55pm, at the Community Hospice Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 69 years old.

Steve grew up in Ravenswood, WV and graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1968. He then attended Bob Jones University where he earned his first bachelor’s degree in 1972.  In 1977 he earned his second bachelor’s degree from Liberty University.  He later studied nursing at Jacksonville University and became a Registered Nurse. As a Registered Nurse he worked at several area hospitals and did home care in the Jacksonville area. After working at Northeast Florida State Hospital for about 10 years he retired from nursing in 2017.

Steve married Elaine Cox on June 14, 1986 in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  For the next 33 years Steve and Elaine lived at the same residence in Jacksonville. Shortly after his marriage he joined First Baptist Church of Jacksonville where he has continued to serve until his journey’s end. Steve’s love for music led him to join the choir where he sang for several years.  He enjoyed visiting and talking with others. He liked fishing, flounder gigging, movies, reading and watching both college and professional football.  His favorite teams were the Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars.   

Steve is survived by his wife Elaine Cox Rhoades, sisters Dianna Maki (Ron), Makinen, MN; Brenda Radtke (Tom), Willmar, MN; Kathy Gibson (Dean), Aurora, MN; one aunt Delores Hilton, Ravenswood, WV, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Freda Rhoades and his father-in-law James F. Cox.

Services will be Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The family will receive friends in the Hobson Auditorium at 10:00AM until service time.

Graveside services will be held at Hickory Grove Baptist Cemetery in Green Cove Springs, Florida at 1:30pm.