[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO MACK WILLIE RHODES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 1998

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a pillar in 
our community, Mr. Mack Willie Rhodes of Sumter, South Carolina.
  Mr. Rhodes has offered tireless assistance to his community for many 
years. He spends valuable time visiting the sick and continually offers 
assistance to his neighbors, friends, and family.
  Mr. Rhodes became a member of Melina Presbyterian Church in 1915 and 
is now their oldest member. He currently serves as an Elder in his 
church and was a Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He also 
taught Sunday school at the Goodwill Presbyterian Church. Aside from 
his church membership, he has been a member of Masonic Lodge Golden 
Gate No. 73 since 1948.
  Mr. Rhodes was born in Sardinia, South Carolina, on February 25, 
1898, to Robert and Adranna Olivia Williams Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes is the 
second oldest of 15 children. Family, good values, and good living are 
Mr. Rhodes' most cherished possessions. At an early age he married 
Annie Elizabeth Rhodes (deceased). They had 14 children--Calvin Oliver 
Rhodes, John Tillman Rhodes, Adranna Oliver Cooper, Susanna H. 
Hannibal, Annie Elizabeth Muldrow, Hattie Jane Burgess, Mack Willie 
Rhodes, Sam J. Rhodes, Daisy B. Sims, Willie Rhodes, Albert Rhodes, 
Viola Rhodes Montgomery, MacArthur Rhodes, and Paul Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes 
later married Ms. Carrie Smith Rhodes (deceased), who brought two 
children to his union--Maggie and Johnny Smith. He proudly carries the 
title of great great-grandfather and is affectionately addressed as 
``Papa'' by his eight surviving children, 36 surviving grandchildren, 
39 surviving great-grandchildren and 10 surviving great great-
grandchildren. Mr. Rhodes' favorite past time is reading the Bible. His 
favorite Bible scripture is the 23rd Chapter of Psalms. Mr. Rhodes 
lives by a motto, ``Treat others as you would have them to treat you.''
  On Saturday, February 14, 1998, family and friends will gather in 
celebration of Mr. Rhodes 100th birthday. Please join me in wishing Mr. 
Mack Willie Rhodes a prosperous and happy birthday. Mr. Rhodes is truly 
a living example of the American spirit that our country's flag 
represents.

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