Lee Rhodes

A memorial service will be held at Christian Tabernacle Church 100 S. Park St., Roselle, IL. 60172 on Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 A.M. to celebrate the life of our beloved Lee W. Rhodes. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Ray Graham Association-Attention: Margaret Wagftaff 901 Warrenville Rd. Suite 500, Lisle, IL. 60532.

Lee W. Rhodes, son, brother, friend, and angel on earth passed quietly away in his sleep on Thursday, July 9, 2015, at home. He was born in Arlington Heights, IL. November 4, 1976, and filled many hearts with joy during his 38 years on earth. Though his condition characterized him as special needs - the word most fitting to describe Lee was uniquely special. Lee taught everyone who knew him more important life lessons than anyone could ever teach him: patience, humility, loyalty, love, kindness and gentleness. Just being around him made you want to be a better person and helped put in perspective what really matters in life. He didn’t get caught up in life’s petty squabbles or gossip, material goods or vanity, and never complained no matter how hard life was for him. Instead, Lee remained faithful, positive and pure as he worked hard developing life skills each day at the Ray Graham Association’s Main Street facility in Lombard, IL.
Lee labored in high school until he was twenty one, taking advantage of their transition programs. Needless to say his graduation was a “Red Letter” day in his life. Lee has faithfully attended Ray Graham Association programs since he graduated from Lake Park High School.
Upon graduation from high school Lee entered Ray Graham Association’s programs for adults with disabilities where he has realized his potential and continued to strive to be the best he could be, with the help of the fine professional caring community at Ray Graham Association. Lee enjoyed attending the Main Street Facility in Lombard, and was always eager to go and “do his duties”. Lee developed many wonderful relationships during his time with this wonderful organization.
Lee was always concerned about what was going on in the life of those he loved. He never failed to inquire about his mother’s day when he returned from his daily activities at Ray Graham. He was always careful to compliment his mother about how nice she looked and that she reminded him of a princess.

Lee was a faithful member of Christian Tabernacle Church of Roselle, IL. He loved the weekends because on Saturdays he could fellowship with the Men of CTC and Sundays he could hear the preached word and enjoy the fine gospel singing of the choirs.
Lee and his brother, Matt has a rare genetic condition called Fragile X Syndrome. There wasn’t much known about this condition when they were diagnosed. Lee being the older brother went through some things that his little brother benefited from. Shortly, upon their diagnosis it was discovered that a Fragile X Syndrome research project had been started at Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. Lee and Matt joined the research project and have been faithful participants and contributors to the research work going on at Rush.
Lee loved his church and most of all, its people. Lee enjoyed inviting people to go to the moon and asking the women of the church what they were cooking or their menus for the day. He was a sensitive caring young man who kept everyone’s deepest secrets; you didn’t have to be afraid that anything Lee overheard would be repeated. He embodied a golden and pure heart, set an example for everyone whose life he touched and left an enormous void in the lives of everyone who knew him. Survivors: He is survived by his father and mother, Elder Willie & Sister Charlotte Rhodes of Hanover Park, IL.; brother, Matthew A. Rhodes, of Hanover Park, IL.; Uncle, Calvin M. Davenger Jr. (Darcel) of Philadelphia, PA.; Aunt, Daphne Davenger of Philadelphia, Pa.; Cousins, Althea Davenger of Baltimore, MD.; Calvin M. Davenger III of Philadelphia, PA.; as well as his Church family and a host of other family and friends.