Virginia Rhodes

Virginia Rhodes, 55, passed away at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana, after a long, courageous battle with heart and kidney disease.

Virgie was born on July 2, 1960 to Salvador C. and Timothy (Hernandez) Garcia in Worland, WY. She attended school in Worland until she was diagnosed with Leukemia during her junior year in high school. Thus began her determined fight to enjoy life and her family and her many, many friends. Her crooked smile was infectious, warmly touching everyone who knew her. Virgie was a CNA for over 28 years, working first at the nursing home, then for Public Health and finally at the hospital. Her compassion was endless as she cared for patients. Many times people told her husband that "Virgie was the best "nurse" they ever had." It seemed appropriate praise. Virgie always treated others with respect. In her eyes, everyone was equal.

She met Todd at a dance. True to her zest for life, Virgie actually asked him to dance. This began a lifelong loving relationship with her best friend. The couple married a year and three months later on July 30, 1988 in Worland at Grace Lutheran Church. Virgie worked tirelessly to help make their house a home - their "special place" where she and Todd cared for their many Labradors over the years, which were like their children. Virgie nurtured each puppy to become part of their family. Virgie loved her home. She worked side by side with Todd, always giving her all to help complete each home improvement project they undertook. Virgie and Todd could be seen holding hands as they went about their blessed life together. Todd often told Virgie that she was the best "two thirds" of their marriage just to see her beautiful smile.

Virgie loved people and she loved to host dinner parties for their family and friends. Her cooking and pies were always a hit at their home. She also loved to sew and make things for other people, often even making dolls, aprons, tablecloths, quilts, purses and numerous other items for charitable causes in the Worland community. Virgie enjoyed hunting and fishing and looked forward to their traditional Meadowlark lake trip with Todd each spring after ice-off. Although she wouldn't bait a hook or remove a fish from her line, she loved to fish with her husband and often directed him to "Get the net!" Theirs was a Love the way love should be - total, unending devotion to one another.

Virgie was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Renee Marie Rhodes. Survivors include her husband of 27 years, Todd; brothers, Salvador, Pete, Leonard, Jim and Ray Garcia; sisters, Mary and Nancy; her father and mother-in-law, Jack and Shirley Rhodes; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am Friday, October 30, 2015 at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Trippel officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or the American Diabetes Association in care of Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.