LUCASVILLE, Ohio — The Rhoden family cemetery lies deep inside Kentucky, a small but pretty plot of land where this hardworking Appalachian family has buried its kin for generations.
But only one week ago, as Tony Rhoden drove his 73-year-old mother to an appointment to see about this pesky foot that bothers her so, talk turned to death.
When her time comes, Geneva Rhoden told her son, don’t bury her so far away. Find someplace closer to Pike and Adams and Scioto counties, which the latest generations of Rhodens call home.
They knew right away that Scioto Burial Park in nearby Rushtown would be perfect. But Tony worried.
“I told her, ‘Mom, I don’t want you to be there by yourself,’ ” he said. As he recalled the story on Tuesday, the grief overtook him, and his big and strong laborer’s body folded in on itself. The sobs shook his body. “Now I’ve got five to go in there. Where do you start? What do you do? I’m just lost.”
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A fund to help the family with funeral expenses has been established. Donations may be made to the Rhoden Family Fund at any Fifth Third Bank, or sent directly to the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home, 1310 3rd St., West Portsmouth, Ohio 45663.
Tips can be called in to authorities at 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or 740-947-2111.
Dispatch Reporter Rita Price contributed to this story.