Evelyn Fern Rodes

Fern Rodes went to be with Jesus on January 10, 2022, in Bryan, Texas. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Grace Bible Church-Anderson in College Station, TX, with Pastors Ted Johnson and Brad Evans officiating.

Fern was born June 21, 1934, in Aylesworth, Oklahoma, to the late L.A. Robertson Sr. and Onvie Payne Robertson. On June 6, 1953, she married Thomas L. Rodes, Jr. in Gainesville, Texas. They were married for 53 years before Tom’s death in 2007. She attended a one room schoolhouse in her early days and graduated from Madill High School, where she was voted FFA Queen. Fern showed steers and was proud to say she was part of the “Dirty Dozen,” a group of twelve girls that were anything but “dirty”. She attended nursing school in Ft. Worth after graduation, but her life work was that of a loving mother and wife, involved in all of her kids’ activities, including Cub Scouts, PTA, Girls Scouts and lots of horses. She was a faithful and active member of Cypress Valley Bible Church for three decades, The Bible Church of Owasso and Grace Bible Church, where she led Bible studies, attended ladies’ functions, worked in VBS and kept the church kitchen supplied.

Fern is likely best known for plants, porcelain, people, and prayers. She loved to grow plants inside and out and definitely had a “green thumb”. It was hard to walk around her house without bumping into greenery of all shapes and sizes. She was an avid painter of porcelain and had hundreds, perhaps thousands, of china plates, bowls, cups, pitchers, etc. As for people, mom never knew a stranger and many unsuspecting – and suspecting – people fell “victim” to her hugs and kisses. If you happened to be sitting close as you talked, you could be sure she was going to show her love by holding your hand or stroking your back. And to her, you were the only person in the room. The word “Generous” just about sums up her every interaction with people, in every conceivable way – selfless and always thinking of others. Lastly and most importantly, prayer: prayer warrior is an apt title. She faithfully prayed for family and friends (and strangers) alike – and not in some rote, formal fashion. She spoke with God not only as one she knew personally, but as the One who truly cared about these matters and who had power to actually change things. Her family could always be assured that Big Mama was praying for them each and every day and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Fern is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tom Rodes, III and Gilda of Austin, Texas; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dean Hoelscher and Terry of Caldwell, Texas, and Beth Johnson and Ted of Owasso, Oklahoma; and seven grandchildren, Gilda Romero and wife Lisa Napolitano, Taylor Rodes, Spencer Hoelscher and wife Sarah, Hannah Strange and husband Tanner, Brice Johnson, Allie Johnson and Caleb Johnson; and a passel of great grand-girls, Nadia Napolitano, Skylen and Sunny Hoelscher, and Krosslynn and Audrey Strange, who brought her great joy. She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and a sister.

She will be missed by her friends and the staff at Carriage Inn, the Koinonia class at Grace Bible, and the members and widow’s group at the Bible Church of Owasso – and most of all, her family.

Memorials may be made in Fern’s memory to The Bible Church of Owasso, Building Fund, 201 N Main St, Owasso, OK, 74055 or Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, 410 Harvey Rd #300, College Station, TX, 77840.