Obituaries

Rev. Orion T. Rhodes

Rev. Orion T. Rhodes passed away peacefully at home December 22, 2006 surrounded by his loving family. As a minister for 57 years he served faithfully and with unwavering commitment as a pastor, evangelist, missionary and leader at the local, state, and national levels of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is remembered by the members of his congregations as a dynamic speaker and compassionate counselor with a vision for God’s work.

He was a graduate of East Texas Baptist University and of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout his career he pastored churches in Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Pennsylvania. He traveled extensively, carrying the message of God’s word throughout India, the Middle East, and Europe. He honorably served his country as an officer in the United States Air Force during WWII.

He will be remembered most for his deep devotion to his family including his wife of 57 years, Mary Touchstone Rhodes, his daughter, Cynthia Rhodes-Wallis, his son, Charles Daniel Rhodes, his brother, Charles D. Rhodes, and his three grandchildren, Nathan Wallis, Ryan Rhodes, and Meaghan Rhodes.

A memorial service will be held to honor his life of service on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 11:00AM at Bethel Baptist Church, 572 Lebanon Road off of Route 72 North in Manheim, Pennsylvania. The service will be preceded by a viewing at the church at 10:00AM. He will be laid to rest at the Millersville Mennonite Cemetery, 435 Manor Avenue in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Flowers or memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to Bethel Baptist Church.

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Condolences to the Family

December 22, 2023

Like Nathan, my cousin, I just found this website. Orion was my uncle and I have to say that he was one of the most inspiring people I have ever know. I wasn’t able to see him very often because I have lived in Texas for most of my life, but when I was around him I was always taken with his love and wisdom. He was truely a man of God and admired by so many. Ronnie Rhodes

April 23, 2023

I am Orion’s grandson. I just found this page and wanted to say how wonderful he was and how much I miss him and my grandmother Mary. I was not a Christian while he was alive, but became one in 2018. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven! 
Nathan Wallis

March 12, 2017

I have attended a lot of his preachings as he was a regular visitor to Trivandrum. Just remembered his name and googled it……..God bless his soul.

April 06, 2014

praising God for this wonderful messenger under whose preaching I accepted Christ as my Savior!  Condolences to the family.

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