Esther Rhoden

Esther M. Rhoden, age 94, of Liberal, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at Joplin Health and Rehabilitation Center following a long illness.      Esther was born April 14, 1922, in Stark City, Missouri to the late Henry and Lottie (Carpenter) Cummins.  She graduated from Liberal High School.  While working as an aide at the Garrison Street Hospital in Carthage, Esther met Bartow Rhoden, a young soldier stationed at Camp Crowder, and on April 18, 1944, at Kansas City, Missouri, they were married. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, Esther had worked at the Key Overall Factory for several years and was a physical therapy assistant at Nevada State Hospital for sixteen years.  She had been a member of Hannon Freewill Baptist Church and the Christian Church of Liberal.      In addition to her parents, Esther was also preceded in death by her husband, Bart in 1977; a son, Dwayne Mack Rhoden; and two brothers, Lester and Houston Cummins.      Survivors include two daughters, Lawanna Arthur of Carthage and Janean Floyd of Joplin; a daughter-in-law, Pam Rhoden of Springfield; six grandchildren, Darren (Emily) Rhoden, Deanna Rhoden, Brian Arthur, Elizabeth (Eric) Hartman, B.J. (Dalia) Floyd, and Jillian (Nathan) Jones; and six great-grandchildren, Coco, Brady, Delaney, Eliza, Eero, and Emberly.  Two more great-grandchildren will be welcomed into the family in September.      A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May16th at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar where the family will receive friends from noon until service time.  Burial will be in Liberal Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to the Christian Church of Liberal.