Frances Rhodus

Frances "Sue" Rhodus left us on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at age 91. For over 50 years, she graced the Upper Keys with her presence. She will be missed by her friends, her children and the many dogs (who loved her gourmet treats), she visited on her daily bike rides with her friend-Mark.

Sue was born to Walter Gay Nelson and Maxine Roberta Orthwein Nelson on December 2, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri. In her twenties, she became a stewardess (now known as a flight attendant) for Eastern Airlines. She had the honor of working for then president of the company, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, America's WWI flying ace. Although she only worked for Eastern a short time, she was always full of crazy stories about airline life. At age 24, Sue met and married "Smokey" Stover and they had three children, Lorinda "Lori" Stover, Herbert "Rick" Stover, and Scot Stover. They lived in Miami, Florida until 1969 when Smokey and Sue divorced. She and her children moved to Lower Matecumbe Key where she met and married Gene Rhodus, a general contractor.

Sue lived on White Marlin Beach for over fifty years. She loved her view of the bay, beach, and her beloved sunsets.

In the early 1970's, Sue became an artistic stone mason, leaving her mark on many homes and businesses in the Upper Keys. Her stone creations were unique and created individually for each client. People still talk about Sue's burgundy Lincoln and her pink trailer full of beautiful hand-picked stones.

Sue was predeceased by her husband, Gene Rhodus and her youngest son, Scot Stover. She is survived by her daughter Lori, son Rick, grandson, Dillon Stover, and her stepchildren, Len Rhodus, Debbie Arvin, Cheryle Walton, and Virginia Terry.

There will be a memorial service for Sue and Gene in October 2022. Both Gene's and Sue's cremains will be scattered on Coffins Patch reef where Scot rests. Finally, as Sue often explained, both she and Gene will be able to visit all of the places they dreamed about.