HENDERSON, NY — Rebecca Adeline Gerene Rhodes, 26, Henderson, beloved daughter and sister passed away at home Sunday, June 17, 2018.
The funeral for Rebecca will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Grace Community Church, corner of Route 11 and Michael Rd., Adams Center, with Rev’s Loren and Kyle Widrick officiating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery. Calling hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 22, at the church. Please bring a small stone with your name and place of origin in a zip lock bag. We will be making a memorial rock garden in her honor. Stones can be left off at the greenhouses or store for Becky’s fountain memorial. Rebecca loved her flower and plants but loved rocks the most.
She is loved and survived by her parents Gary and Jolene Rhodes, her brother Jonathan Rhodes and her two nephews Landen and Carsen, all of Henderson, her sister Amanda Bast and her brother in law Tyler Bast, Rochester. Her maternal grandmother Adeline Knechtel, Mannsville, her Aunts and Uncles Janelle (Brent) Lehman, Mannsville and Patricia Thomas, Adams Center, Nancy (Norman) Roof, Harrisburg, Gaye (David) King, Endicott, Jeanette (Steven) Moser, Croghan, Joanne (Arden) Bender, Williamsville, Wayne (Daphne) Knechtel, William Lehman, Sarasota, FL, her companion Ian Dudley, her cats Annie and Frankie who were with her for many years, pets Rex and Stella, and many cousins whom Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were shared with.
Rebecca was predeceased by her grandparents, Leland and Gerene (Barney) Rhodes, Wilson Knechtel, an Uncle Leon Thomas, Jr., and an Aunt Janice Knechtel.
Rebecca was born on April 27, 1992 to Gary and Jolene Knechtel Rhodes. She graduated from Belleville Henderson Central School District in 2010 and went on to study geology, math, and physics at SUNY Brockport. She was part of the Green, Gold, and Presidential Leadership Development Program and President of the Earth Science Club and President of Sigma Gamma Earth Science Honor Society at Brockport before she graduated with honors magma cum laude in 2014.
Rebecca interned at The Wyoming Dinosaur Center excavating dinosaur bone sites, researched the limestone pavements of Chaumont, and studied flash floods, soil erosion, and grain size distribution as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Texas in Austin for their REU Program in Global Change and Sustainably. She was one of the few to be awarded the internships in a matter of years.
Rebecca was graduating with her Master of Science in Engineering Science focusing on Geological Engineering this Summer from the University of Mississippi. Her thesis focused on the Geophysical Characterization of Short Segments in River Levees. Rebecca was also a teacher’s assistant and was awarded a full scholarship. She was also a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Geological Society of America, and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists.
Rebecca was an intelligent, loving, and gentle person who enjoyed spending time with her two nephews, listening to Phish, and valued the mystery of rocks In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established and funds can be sent to the Rebecca Rhodes Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Watertown Savings Bank, 10729 US Rt 11, Adams, NY 13605. Donations can be directed to that address or the Go Fund me page on Facebook.
Becky’s family wishes to thank all who have helped during this time and who have sent love thoughts and prayers. Thanks to her families at Brockport State and Ole’ Miss, Dr. Adnam Aydin, Dr. and Gregg R. Davidson of the Geology and Geological University at Ole’ Miss.
Arrangements are with the Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home, Belleville.
Online condolences may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com.
