James Coleman Rhodes went home to be with his Lord and savior on July 28, 2022.  Coleman was born on April 18, 1933 in Petteway Texas community to Fletcher Gray and Georgia Loucindy Baker Rhodes.  His early childhood was spent in the Boone Prairie area and he attended the Boone Prairie School until the sixth grade.  He completed his education in Franklin and graduated in 1950.

He was a carpenter by trade and worked with his father in the Houston area.  In 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. army and served until 1955 when he was honorably discharged, having achieved the rank of corporal and receiving commendations.  He married Eva Ruth Browning on August 18, 1956 and had two children, Randy and Suzanne.  Coleman and Ruth moved back to Franklin in 1968 from Houston.  It was then that he began a banking career with the First National Bank of Franklin as a teller and worked at the bank for the next thirty-one years rising to executive vice president.  He enjoyed helping his customers with their banking needs and cherished the many friendships he made through the years.

Coleman loved his Lord, his earthly family, and his church family in Franklin.  He served as an elder for the congregation for many years.  He loved entertaining and cooking for his family at their lake house.  He was a man of abundant energy and could be spotted walking all over town visiting with his many friends as he did his daily errands, tending his yard and plants as well as a large garden every year.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Loucindy Rhodes and sister, Freda Calhoun.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Rhodes (Foofie), his daughter Suzanne Swonke and husband James "Jr"; his son, Randy and wife Terry; bonus daughter, Melinda Mitchell Lilly; nephew, Mike Calhoun; niece, Linda Altman and husband Duke.  He also leaves behind to cherish his memories his 7 grandchildren: Chris Rhodes, Kyle Rhodes, Lauren Swonke and husband Joaquin Anon Suarez, Dana Cherry, Clayton Swonke, Sarah Rhodes and Taylor Swonke.  He is also survived by two great grandchildren: Lucas and Olivia Anon Suarez.

Services will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Franklin Church of Christ.  Burial will follow in the West Boone Prairie Cemetery in Robertson County.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Boone Prairie Cemetery Association 8739 West Boone Prairie Road Franklin, Texas 77856.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to hospice and his caregivers for giving him such exceptional care during his illness.