Diane Elise Rhodes

LEXINGTON— Diane Elise Rhodes, 68, of Lexington, previously of Houston, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Ms. Rhodes on Jan. 22, 1956, Diane was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and cousin.

She possessed an exuberant spirit and an off-beat sense of humor. She saw life through the lens of an “earth mother,” as reflected by her passions, interests, tastes and art.

Diane graduated in 1974 from S.P. Waltrip High School in Houston, then attended Texas A&M University and later, in 1990, graduated from San Jacinto College as a registered nurse.

She worked as an RN for several years, first at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston and then in hospitals and facilities in Rockdale and Giddings.

Diane was preceded in death by her father, Harold R. “Ike” Rhodes; and her youngest child, Lorna Melissa “Melissa” Wells; as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Diane is survived by her mother, Lorna Patschke Rhodes; sister Rhonda Rhodes; sister Valencia Rhodes Atchison (Glen Tompkins); cousin (like a sister) Pamela Buenker (Joe), and children William “Willie” Allen Wells Jr. (Kristen), Amanda Dianna “Dianna” Wells Rutledge (Kurt) and Jessica Joy Wells Bertrand; grandchildren Angelica “Angel” Bertrand, Liliana “Lili” Bertrand, Brandon “Carter” Bertrand, Sebastian Vander Zyl, Joseph Vander Zyl, Kallista Wells, Genevieve Wells, and Anndrina Rutledge; nephews Douglas Wile, Logan Atchison (Lisa), Ronnie Colonna; niece Rachel Wile (Paul Oldfield); grandniece Lucy Atchison; two aunts; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

Diane had a lifelong passion for pets, farm animals, ranching, horticulture, homesteading, and tropical fish. She loved her pet dogs and cats as well as her beloved horses.

Diane lived for years in Possum Hollow (Pleasant Grove) outside of Lexington, where she raised goats as well as heritage turkeys and chickens, doing her part to keep alive the breeds of old. Diane also maintained a small herd of cattle in her youth and was passionate about all aspects of ranching.

Diane was also an amazing artist, with bright bold strokes and a natural talent apparent even in her early years.

Diane also loved projects and had an expansive knowledge of her subjects of interest.

Diane was a lifelong Lutheran and a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Lexington.

Her life will be celebrated at a service at St. James at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024. Burial will follow at Hugh Wilson Cemetery in Tanglewood (between Lexington and Rockdale).

All may gather afterwards at the St. James Lutheran Church parish hall.

Any flowers may be sent to Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Or, in lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to any charity assisting animals.

May Diane’s memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.