JACKSONVILLE  -  Dorothy Marie Rhodes Brantley (February 6, 1933 – July 24, 2025) was born to Eppie Lee Dixon and Ivey A. Rhodes on, what is now, Camp Lejeune. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville with visitation prior, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Onslow Memorial Park.

Her husband, Elmond Allard Brantley "Bud" preceded her in death, as did her daughter, Willamina Iris Woodson Reel, grandson, Ian Bruce Woodson, and brother, Ivey Eugene Rhodes.

She is survived by daughters, Melissa Smith Hight (Al) and Ivy Brantley Reid; son, Hunter Allen Asbury; grandchildren, Willa Marie Woodson, William Brantley Smith, and Andrew Farlow Reid (Hannah); great-grandchildren, Andrew Farlow Reid, Jr., and Adelynn Brantley Reid; sister, Nancy Rhodes Bishop (Charles); brother, Jimmy Carol Rhodes (Nadine); numerous nieces, nephews, and a dear caregiver, Iris King.

Nothing was more important to Dorothy than family. Her children, grandchildren, sister, brother, nieces, and nephews were the beneficiaries of all the love she had to give. Holidays and family gatherings were filled with many traditions that will continue to be treasured in years to come.

Dorothy was an active member of the Joseph Montfort Chapter – National Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Onslow County Historical Society, and the Old Cemetery Society, whose main goal was finding and recording all Onslow County Cemeteries and those buried there. She spent many hours researching ancestry, compiling family genealogy records, and was a driving force behind the Onslow County Heritage Book. Dorothy took pride in being the 7th generation descendant of Colonel Henry Rhodes (Revolutionary War) of Onslow County.

A 4-H leader for many years, Dorothy had a huge impact on the many young people that became members of the Busy Bees Community 4-H Club. The farm in the southwest community of Onslow County that she and Bud called home for almost 60 years, is now the Busy Bees Family Farm, in honor of their selfless dedication to youth.

Dorothy attended the White Oak Association, Primitive Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dorothy's memory to the Carolina Museum of the Marine, 155 Brynn Marr Rd, Suite 100, Jacksonville, NC 28546 or Lower Cape Fear Life Care Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401 or online at lifecare.org