Beverly J. "Raven" Rhodes

Beverly “Raven” Rhodes passed away peacefully on April 21, 2022. She has gone home to her Lord and her beloved husband David (deceased 2018). Raven is survived by five children and their spouses – Greg and Nancy, Gary and Vickie, RaeAnne, Gordon, and Dana and Mark – eight grandchildren and their spouses – Amber, Trisha and Jason, Ashley and Paul, Marc and Katrina, Kyle and Maggie, Missy and Brandon, Aidan, and Aaron – and nine great-grandchildren – Rebecca, Rheyanna, Parker, Rhys, Dean, Elliot, Hunter, Adelynn, and Cassidy.

Raven lived a life full of love, devotion, and commitment. She loved spending time with her family and friends, whether it was a weekly trip to the movies (since she was a child), a crazy vacation to the Grand Caymans, Karaoke night, or a fun day of competitive game play. Raven always loved the movies, and her favorite actors were Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Natalie Wood, and Elizabeth Taylor. She also loved Star Trek from the day it came out and even attended one of the early Star Trek conventions back in 1975. She was thrilled because most of the cast was there.

Raven was a devout Catholic and attended Holy Spirit Church. Her two all-time favorite pastors were Father Munshower and Father Paul, and they got to know the family well. As a child, she enjoyed Catholic school and said that the nuns were such nice teachers that she thought the stereotype of a mean nun was odd. She did admit that she was jealous of her friends who went to public school, though, because they all got to go to school together.

Raven learned shorthand and typing in high school and worked as a secretary after graduation, up until her marriage to David E. Rhodes on May 9, 1959. The two of them enjoyed dancing, bowling, and spending time with their best friends Steve and Alice. Their first date was a double date to a football game for one of the Michigan universities; Raven fondly recalled that Dave bought her a large sunflower at the game. Their wedding colors were rose and burgundy, and Raven was lucky enough to wear the wedding dress of her dreams. She had seen it in a shop window and thought it was one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever seen, but it was too expensive. She was able to draw it perfectly for a tailor, who made it for her for half the cost.

Raven was happy to be a stay-at-home mom to her five children. She once said she never understood when other mothers in the fall said that they were glad that school was starting because she’d never felt that way – she’d always especially enjoyed summers because that meant more time with the kids. She and Dave in particular liked taking the children to the pool they were members of during summer break. Also, once almost every summer, they would take the kids to King’s Island.

Raven and Dave enjoyed evenings out with their friends. They danced, ate, listened to music, gathered together, and visited. For big celebrations, she would get her hair done in an elaborate updo. She had a hand-drawn picture on her wall with her hair like that that had been done at one of the big parties she and Dave attended. In later years, the two of them would go out once a week to sing at Karaoke; together they would sing “Hang On, Sloopy” and “Joy to the World.” One of Raven’s favorites was also “I Will Survive.”

Raven was funny, whip-smart, and kind – and was quite the bridge player! She was loved by all that knew her and will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 7243 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 2-4PM with funeral to begin at 4PM all held at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, 46229.