Mary Lou Rhodes

Mary Lou Rhodes, 82, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026. She was born on April 27, 1943, in Newton, Texas, to Ebner Lee Yarbrough and Claudie Lee Bioshouye.

Mary Lou was a faithful member of Grace Community Baptist Church and lived a life marked by love, service, and devotion to family. She had a special place in her heart for children and spent many years serving her community as a special needs bus driver for the Dayton and Huffman school districts, a role she truly loved. 

She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures—bowling, playing the game of 42, listening to bluegrass, and spending time at the Bluegrass Park in Waldron, Arkansas. Mary Lou also loved traveling and RVing alongside her beloved husband, John. She adored her dogs—Sarge, Prissy, Sassy, Tinker, and many other cherished fur babies who brought her great joy.

 Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, John Rhodes Sr.; her daughter, Cindy Estep; and her three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her loving children: daughter Sharon Fowler and husband Ed; son John Rhodes Jr. and wife Melanie; and her grandchildren, Brandi Rhodes and Jonathan Rhodes, who will forever treasure her memory.

 A visitation will be held on January 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton, Texas. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., honoring a life well lived and deeply loved. Burial will take place at Palms Memorial Park Cemetery, Dayton.