Mary Gene Upshaw Rhodes, 98, of Spearsville, LA, made it safely home with Jesus on January 10, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Spearsville, LA, on January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Neil Everett and Rev. Phillip Smith. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Spearsville before the service from 1-2 PM. Interment will follow at Spearsville Community Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

November 23, 1927, was surely a glorious fall day—the day God sent a precious girl named Mary Gene to Dallas and Nora Upshaw. Mary Gene had a happy childhood, growing up on her parents' farm in Spearsville, LA. She attended school at Canaan School as a young girl as well as the church at Canaan. Her parents had four other children: Emma Lee Burns (J.L.), James Upshaw (Doris), Kenneth Upshaw (Barbara), and Jimmy Penton. In 1943, Vergil Rhodes met his very own virtuous woman. The two met in high school and soon fell in love. They eloped after high school. Not long after marrying, Vergil volunteered for the US Army and soon left to go overseas. They had six children together: Susan Spears (Michael), Lou Ellen Russell (John), Beth Lawson (Steve), Helen Asfar (Alex), Vergil, Jr., known as Buddy (Susan), and Laurie Smith (Phillip). Vergil and Mary Gene were loving parents and reared their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. She was a trustworthy Proverbs 31 wife to Vergil, managing their money on whatever budget was required, sewing clothes for her children and herself, cooking three meals a day, and keeping their home immaculately clean. She was active in her church and the school in Spearsville, and set an example to her children of benevolence toward the needy, compassion to the bereaved, and aid to the sick. She had a beautiful soprano voice and loved music. She was frequently featured as a soloist at her church and at weddings and funerals in the area. She also was a really fun mom—hosting her children's friends, planning picnics, swimming in Big Corney Creek, playing outside, and building a playhouse from cardboard boxes that provided hours of fun. She and Vergil enjoyed traveling when their kids were grown, and had many wonderful trips in the U.S. and also to Israel and Egypt. She was a fun and loving grandmother—hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve gatherings, and Easter egg hunts. She and Vergil started a family vacation as a gift to their kids and grandkids every summer at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas, which is still a beloved family tradition. Her most important relationship was with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Acts 4:12 says about Jesus, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby you must be saved." One of the last things she said to a nurse who was caring for her was, "Jesus, He will be your best friend." Another nurse once said of her, "Her faith just drips off of her." She devoted time each day to Bible study and prayer, was a faithful prayer warrior, and often taught Sunday School and served in many areas at her church. She would be delighted for others to come to know Jesus Christ from the testimony of her life. Mary Gene was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, beloved husband of 66 years Vergil Rhodes, Sr., her daughter Lou Ellen Rhodes Russell, and two sons-in-law, Steve Lawson and Michael Spears.

She is survived by her children Susan, Beth, Helen, Vergil Jr., and Laurie; 13 grandchildren Michelle Spears Bell (Bob), Jonathan Spears (Stacy), Catherine Russell Asher (Jeremy), Steve Lawson, Jr. (Mary), Elizabeth Lawson Burton (Josh), Matthew Lawson, David Asfar (Stephanie), Sarah Asfar Carter (Jeremy), Benjamin Rhodes, Christina Rhodes Ritter (Brandon), Stephanie Rhodes Pruitt (Mike), Nathan Smith (Elizabeth), and Hannah Smith Long (David); 26 great-grandchildren; 6 great-greatgrandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to thank Arbor Lake Nursing Home, First Baptist Church Spearsville and the Spearsville Community, and Union General Hospital for helping to care for our beloved mom.

This obituary was formulated from an article written by Mary Gene's late daughter, Lou Ellen Rhodes Russell. It was originally written for her Mom's 90th birthday.