Monday afternoon, June 14, 1965 at 4 p.m., a beautiful baby girl was born in the small town of Arcola, MS, her name was Gloria Jean Kellum.  She was the only child of Robert Douglas Kellum and Mary Ellen Whitt Kellum.  Gloria confessed belief in Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church in Arcola, MS, where D.T. Irving was pastor.  She was a member of the choir and Sunday school.  In her later years, she became a member of Pilgrim Home Baptist Church in Greenville, MS.  She was a father's child, who admired her father greatly. They were pals until his death.

Gloria Kellum Rhodes, often called "Tiny" by family and "Tina or Glo" by some friends and community, attended elementary and high school in the Hollandale School District at Simmons.  After her parents moved to Greenville, MS, she attended T.L. Weston Middle School and then received her diploma in 1983 from Greenville High School.  As she looked to the future and decided on a life path in more education, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Marketing.  While at USM, she was a member of C.O.G.I.C. Fellowship choir, where they traveled across the state and performed in several competitions and charitable events.  She was also chosen by a Greek fraternity as, "Alpha Phi Alpha Sweetheart".  She had many great jobs.

After college, Gloria married a childhood friend, Edwardo Rhodes, Hollandale, MS and two amazing children came from this union, Robert Henderson Kellum-Rhodes and Elbert Alexander Kellum-Rhodes of Fort Wayne, IN.  Her hobbies were sewing, reading, public speaking, singing and playing the piano.  Her favorite color was red.  She participated successfully in several singing and sewing competitions with the 4-H Club and others under the direction of Mrs. Margie T. Johnson.  She also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in IN.  She was an avid animal lover.

Gloria Jean Kellum Rhodes departed this life, Monday, March 24, 2025 in Cleveland, MS at Bolivar County Hospital.  She was 59 years old.

Gloria  is survived by her husband, Edwardo Rhodes; son, Robert Henderson Kellum-Rhodes and Elbert (Alex) Kellum-Rhodes of Fort Wayne, IN; her mother, Mary Kellum; her sister/cousin, Patricia Ann Whitt of Atlanta, GA; several in-laws, cousins, extended family members and special friends.