Michael Louis Rhodes

Michael Louis Rhodes was born October 23, 1973, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, to Robbie Mishell Green Rhodes Davis and Carroll Edward Rhodes, Sr. He made his peaceful transition to be with His Creator, Lord and Savior on January 13, 2018. Although young in age at the time of his departure, Michael was blessed to live a fulfilled life. He was a happy, fun-loving person with an infectious smile. He had a deep passion for sports and sharing his opinion. All of these attributes would prove beneficial as Michael set out on the path that God had planned for him. Michael's journey led him to the Jackson Public Schools System where he served as the JROTC Battalion Commander of the 5th District of Jackson, Mississippi, while he was a student at Forest Hill High School. He graduated from Forest Hill High School in 1992 where he received a four-year Army scholarship. Michael began his college education at Louisiana State University, and he continued on his educational path at the University of Southern Mississippi, finally completing his college education at William Carey University where he received his Bachelor's degree. "But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in his law doeth he meditate day and night.” Michael loved the law and using it to serve people. He began his career as a paralegal before deciding that practicing law was what he was called to do. He was accepted into Florida Coastal School of Law where he graduated with Cum Laude Honors in December 2006. While there, Michael served as a member of the Moot Court Team, the Honor Board Secretary, and the Student Bar Association. He also received several Book awards, an honor given to those who have the highest grade in a class. Michael continued sharpening his legal skills while in law school by working as a law clerk at the Offices of Sporher, Wilner, Maxwell & Matthews in Jacksonville, Florida. Michaeľs hard work and determination paid off when he was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2007 and the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida in 2008. Michaeľs legal career spanned more than a decade leading him to serve as an Associate with Reginald Luster, PA in Jacksonville, Florida; the State Attorney's Office for the First Judicial Circuit in Milton, Florida where he served as Assistant State Attorney; the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee, Florida where he worked as a Central Staff Attorney; an Associate Attorney with Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy, & Ford in Jacksonville, Florida; and, as a Personal Injury Attorney with the Jenkins Law firm, LLC in Jacksonville, Florida which was his final assignment due to his medial retirement in 2015. Michael lived a devoted life of service. He served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and as a Volunteer for Hinds County, Mississippi Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Alumni. Michael served first as a student member and then as an alumni mentor, a guest panelist, judge and an advocate for the National Black Law Students Association from 2003 until 2014. Michael served three years as Chief Legal Advisor for the Macedonia Community Development Corporation, a charted 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, from 2011 until 2014, where he guided the corporation through the grant acquisition process and aided the corporation in obtaining three townhouse units for low income tenants which the corporation still manages today. He made a major impact on the North Florida community by extending his legal talents and services to anyone in need, often on a pro bono basis. In addition to law, Michael relished the opportunity to enjoy sports with children. You could oftentimes find him refereeing local, state, and regional youth league basketball games throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida from college until 2013. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple." While the law provided Michael with the legal acumen, he knew as a young adult that it was the Lord who provided him with the understanding and the ability to do the work. Michael professed Christ and was baptized at Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while he attended LSU. As Michael's career led him to different parts of Florida, he always located a church home. Michael attended Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church while living in Jacksonville, Florida; Beulah Hill Missionary Baptist while living in Tallahassee, Florida; and, Macedonia Missionary Baptist while living in Crestview and Pensacola, Florida. Throughout Michael's illness, he maintained his faith, and for that, we are comforted because we have faith that we will see him again. Michael is survived by his most memorable imprint on this earth - his two daughters: Morgan Elisabeth Rhodes and Aria Nicole Baham. Michael is also survived by his mother, Robbie Mishell Green Rhodes Davis, and his father, Carroll Edward Rhodes, Sr. (Linda); his brothers: Mark Rhodes, Carroll “CJ" Rhodes, II (Allison), and Boris Rhodes; his sisters: Dr. Jamilliah Longino (Caliph) and Celeste Nunez; his paternal grandmother: Eliza Rhodes; his aunts: Dorotha Jean Green (Thornton Murray), Lore Etta Green (Scott), Vivian Antionette Haywood; his uncles Pastor Henry Haywood, III (Youlanda) and Paul Anthony Rhodes (Toni). Michael is also survived by a host of nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Marie Green; his paternal grandfather, Marion Rhodes; and his paternal uncles, Marion Rhodes, Jr., Julius Rhodes, and Norman Ellis Rhodes.

Michael Louis Rhodes

October 23, 1973 - January 13, 2018