Christine Elizabeth Rhodes

Christine Elizabeth Rhodes, daughter of the late James Sharpe and Anner (Winzar) Sharpe, was born on April 25, 1947, in Washington, D.C. She had four siblings: Howard, Michael (deceased), Maurice (deceased), and Shirley (deceased). She graduated from Martha Murray Washington Vocational High School and went on to the ITT Career Institute in Washington, D.C., where she received certificates in Bookkeeping and Accounting. She retired from the Library of Congress in 2009. She was also preceded in death by her late husband, Thomas L. Rhodes, Sr., on March 4, 2009.

Christine was a dedicated mother and her children’s greatest supporter. She diligently trained them to be independent at a young age by keeping them with her to learn how to pursue excellence in education, manage a home, and manage themselves. She taught her daughters to be “classy” young ladies and her sons to honor and respect young women. She was very creative in arts and crafts. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and painting. She also liked dancing and enjoying time with her family, especially if it involved traveling to different cities and countries. She greatly enjoyed holiday seasons with family and giving the perfect gift to each of them. She also loved being pampered and going to the spa with her daughters. Her greatest strength was making sure her children accomplished their goals in life. She would develop creative ways to support each of them, along with other family members, expecting nothing in return, and her children counted that as a privilege. She enjoyed volunteering at her kids’ local schools by providing administrative support and substitute teaching. In May 2021, she moved from her home in D.C. to live with her son, Thomas, and his family where she spent the remainder of her years continuing to be cared for and deeply loved.

Christine departed this life on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the age of 78. She is survived by her four children: Jonathan Rhodes, Victoria Rhodes, LaTonya Wims (Raynado), and Thomas Rhodes, Jr. (Tamara); her brother, Howard Sharpe; two sisters-in-law: Blanche Drakeford and Floree Rhodes, a host of nieces and nephews, and her five grandchildren: Bryce, Ivanna, Elijah, Braylon and Ethan, whom she loved very dearly.