Rhea Louise Rhodes

Rhea Louise Wilson Rhodes peacefully passed to her heavenly home January 27, 2022, in Sedona, Arizona.  Rhea, daughter of Rose Mildred Taylor Wilson and Joel Ricks Wilson, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 22, 1925. Rhea was the second child and second daughter in a family of six children: three boys and three girls.

Rhea graduated from East High School, attended Westminster College, and studied commercial art at Trade Tech School, all of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Travel, work, and education took her to California where she attended U. C. L. A.

In1967, Rhea moved to Corrales, New Mexico continuing her study and love of art.  Her paintings have been displayed in watercolor shows throughout the Southwest and museums in New Mexico and Texas. Rhea has been a recipient of awards for landscape and figure renderings. Her paintings have been shown in numerous galleries and are cherished in many private U. S. collections.

In April 1982 Rhea was the featured artist on the Watercolor Page in the International Publication American Artist Magazine.  Rhea was one of few artists privileged and honored to have her work displayed at the Governor’s Exhibition at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee in 1984. Rhea also had her paintings at the Exhibition Salon de Nations in Paris, France and they have also been exhibited in Italy and Germany, as well as numerous galleries throughout Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.  Watercolors have not been the only medium for Rhea.  She works with ink and charcoal, as well as mixed media and also a unique medium that she has developed that affords striking textures.

Rhea married John Buetler Rhodes in 1959.  Two children were born to this union: John Blair Rhodes and Nancy Louise Rhodes.  The family lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Kanab, Utah; and Corrales, New Mexico.  Their homes displayed Rhea’s creativity and beauty in décor and design.  John passed away in 2009.

Rhea was preceded in death by her parents, former husband, and several siblings: brother, Joel Richard Wilson and his wife Bonnie; brother, Ezra Taylor Wilson; sister, Ruth Elaine Ryser; sister, Rosemary Johnson and her husband Frank. Also preceding her death were John Rhodes’ brother-in-law, Jim Rickbeil; brother, Richard “Dick” Rhodes and his wife Ethel of Silver City, New Mexico.

Rhea is survived by her children, Nancy Louise Rhodes of Sedona, Arizona and John Blair Rhodes of Amarillo, Texas; sister-in-law, Patrica Wilson, Salt Lake City, Utah; brother-in-law, Charles Ryser, Salt Lake City, Utah; brother, Blaine Ricks Wilson and sister-in-law, Joyce Wilson, Santa Clara, Utah.  Also, Rhea is survived by John Rhodes’ sister, Bette Rickbeil of Boise, Idaho.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Rhea Louise Wilson Rhodes.

A Memorial Service is scheduled February 3, 2022, at 2:00 pm

Greer’s Mortuary.  2725 West Highway 89A, Sedona, Arizona. 86336

phone:928-282-3253 [email protected] or [email protected]

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