Natalie Faye Rhodes' Obituary
Natalie Faye Rhodes was born on May 23, 1957 in Gadsden, Alabama to Obed and Fageleane Rhodes. Natalie, affectionately known to family and friends as “Nat”, was the fifth oldest of eight children.
Natalie attended St. Peter Claver Elementary School in Mobile, Ala. until the family relocated to Sacramento, CA in 1967. Her family settled in Strawberry Manor in Del Paso Heights, where she continued her academics at Fairbanks Elementary School, Las Palmas Jr. High and Norte Del Rio High School ( Class of 1967 )
After graduating high school, Natalie eventually earned a position with Kaiser Loyal Service. She loved her job as a Surgery Scheduler and spoke highly of the doctors and patients she served.
In 1985, she gave birth to her only child, Alexis, who she adored. She was later blessed with two grandchildren, Brianna and Cornelius Jr. (aka Lil’ Reece), who loved their “Ya Ya”. They will forever be her Babe (Alexix), Bri (Brianna) and Booda (Lil’ Reece).
Natalie was diagnosed with Lupus in 1997. While managing her disease as best she could, Natalie continued to be an avid sports fan. She loved her SF Giants, Oakland A’s and Pittsburg Steelers. She also enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Ebonites Bowling League. Once her body could no longer take the stress of bowling, you could find her playing Bid Whist or Bingo. She always looked forward to her annual “bingo excursions” with her sisters and brother-in-law.
Natalie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at St. Paul Baptist Church in 1999. There she enjoyed singing in the Inspirational and Combined choirs.
On December 11, 2015, God handpicked Natalie to sing in His heavenly choir.
She is preceded in death by her father, Obed Rhodes and her brother, Kevin Rhodes.
Natalie will be forever loved and cherished by her mother, Fageleane Rhodes; daighter, Alexis Turner (Cornelius, Sr.); 2 Grandchildren, Brianna and Cornelius Jr.; Siblings, Cecil Rhodes (Patricia), Delores Culpepper (Charles), Barbara Rhodes, Carl Rhodes, Yul Rhodes (Kimberly), Lillian Winrow ( Derrick); 10 nieces/nephews; 4 great-nieces/nephews and a host of family and friends.
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