Blaine Ivan Rhodes peacefully left this world on August 11, 2024 with his family lovingly by his side at Smyth County Community Hospital. Blaine was born on October 4, 1935 in Pageton, WV to Grover and Effie Rae Blankenship Rhodes.

Blaine proudly served in the 4th Army as a tank driver in the 60th Infantry Regimen.  He spent one year, six months, and eleven days stationed in Germany. Luckily for all of us, he returned home to his spunky and beautiful girlfriend Mary Pickle and they were married on March 7, 1958.

Blaine and Mary then made their home in Rural Retreat and he worked as a truck driver for BC and Dane Umberger and then Burlington Industries. He worked hard to be a provider for his family and he valued hard work, honesty and the integrity of a man's word. The Rhodes were blessed with two sons, Jerry Blaine Rhodes and Terry Neal Rhodes.

Blaine never met a stranger and all the children in their neighborhood called him Papaw. No one loved to laugh and enjoy people more than Blaine and we are sure going to miss him.

Blaine was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jean Sproles and Helen Miller and his brothers Walters Rhodes and Bobby Rhodes.

Blaine is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Mary Pickle Rhodes; two sons Jerry (Lori) Rhodes and Terry Rhodes, all of Rural Retreat. Grandchildren Heather Rhodes of Wytheville and  Derrick (Linsey) Rhodes of Bland and Colton Rhodes of Rural Retreat; one great grandchild Ridge Brown of Wytheville also remain. Brother in law Charles Miller of Rural Retreat and sister in law Marie Pickle of Crockett also survive. Several special nieces and nephews survive as well as many much loved neighborhood "grandchildren."

Funeral services will be held at Lindsey Funeral Chapel in Rural Retreat on Wednesday August 14th starting with visitation at 1:00 pm and services beginning at 2:00 pm led by Pastor Jack Rutherford.  Internment will be at Sharon Baptist Church cemetery following the service.  American Legion Post 229 will conduce military gave side service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to the Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 238 Rural Retreat, VA 2438.

Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, VA is serving the Rhodes family.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at:  www.highlandfuneralservice.com