This world is not my home. I am only passing through.

Having thus said, Vera Lucinda (Cindy) Rhoades departed this world to go to her heavenly home by the Grace of God on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Cindy was 79 years old.

Cindy was born on Sunday, May 4, 1947, to parents, Walter Scott and Georgia Evelyn Davis Rhoades at home in Corning, Holt County, Missouri. Either her parents were mentally or physically unable to care for their children, as the children grew up in foster homes.

Although Cindy lived in several foster homes, the summer before she started eighth grade, she went to live with J. L. (Toppie) and Azalee Walker on a dairy farm just out of Amity, Missouri. Cindy stayed with the Walkers until she graduated from high school at Maysville, Missouri in 1965. Cindy made Texas her home in 1974.

Cindy worked most of her life as a bookkeeper. She was known to have as many as three jobs at a time. She also drove an 18-wheeler with her last husband and was in every state in the lower 48 with the exception of Maine and New Hampshire. But her favorite job was helping to keep her youngest granddaughter, Ella 'Pi' Impson, whom she called her Sunshine, while Ella's parents were at work. And she loved it when as Ella got older, she would come and spend the night.

Cindy loved reading and always had a book close and most often could be found reading or listening to her audio Bible. Cindy also enjoyed growing and giving away flowers until her health got bad. Through the years, Cindy made many quilts for family members. The last one she made for her great grandson, Ezra Crane.

A Stage 4 breast cancer survivor since 2014, Cindy again had a bout with cancer in 2022. This time it was with colon cancer. With God's help, she overcame and for a time was at stage 2 colon cancer in remission. And although it slowed her down, it didn't completely stop her. She then contracted lung cancer in May 2024. Cindy could be found on Sunday mornings at the Sturgis Mill Fellowship Hall where along with family and friends she worshipped God and studied the Bible.

One of Cindy's greatest achievements in her later life was putting together for each of her children and her nephew a book that spanned the last six generations, beginning with her great grandparents. After her last failed marriage in 1997, Cindy took back her maiden name and remained single until her death.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents; her foster parents; stepfather, Loren Guy; brothers, Walter James Rhoades, Marvin (Brad) Bradley, Jim Hicks, and Bruce Rhodes; sister, Evelyn (Patti) Farr; daughter-in-law, Trisha Taylor; sister-inlaw, Ella Hicks; brother-in-law, Rex McCall, Sr.; nephew, James (Jammer) Hicks; great grandson, Ryder Griffin; and best friend, Nathan Urick.

Survivors include daughters, Debbie Cooke Impson and husband, Kevin, of Hemphill, Jennifer Vessar Johnson and husband, Michael of Malvern, Iowa, and Trisch Vessar of Spearfish, South Dakota; son, Don Vessar and wife, Joani, of Coyle, Oklahoma; stepson, Steve Cooke; grandchildren, Corey Sparr, Jessica Saylor and husband, Timothy, Jessie Vessar, Anthony Vessar, KeiLani Vessar Daniels and husband, Adam, Brandon Vessar and wife, Olivia, Emily Elliott, Justin Elliot and Ella 'Pi' Impson; step grandchildren, Kevin Cooke, Jason Cooke, Michael Johnson, Jr., Jake Johnson, Gabe Johnson, Alizabeth Johnson, Alexis Austin and bonus step granddaughter, Shelby Impson Griffin; nephew, Williams Hicks and wife, Kathy, brother-in-law, Kirk Farr; numerous great grandchildren; and her four legged furry friend, Angel.

Cindy's legacy for all her family and friends is to pray that they find room in their hearts to accept our Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and lived and through him, eternal life.

A special thank you from Cindy's family to Heart-to-Heart Hospice, Olive Branch Hospice and her nurses, Ashton Meredith and Stacy Dickerson for their care and compassion.

Memorial services will take place at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the home of Debbie and Kevin Impson, 510 Easley-Impson Dr., Pineland, Texas 75968 with Bro. David Ebarb officiating.

Cremation arrangements were handled by Starr Funeral Home of Hemphill.

Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome.com.