ADA RHODES FANGUE

March 10, 1918- October 22, 2016
Ada Rhodes Fangue, 98, a resident of Berwick, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2016, surrounded by loving family members. Born March 10, 1918, to parents Emily Gillen Rhodes and Walter Rhodes Sr., Ada was raised and educated in Morgan City, Louisiana, first at Sacred Heart Academy and later, Morgan City High School.
After marrying in 1941, she traded her secretarial skills for homemaking and dedicated the rest of her life to her family. Her talent as a seamstress was realized in the creative and beautiful items she created for her home and her family.
Ada was a devout Catholic and served St. Stephen Parish in a variety of capacities. She was an active member of the St. Anne’s Altar Society and served as secretary for many years. Many of the parish’s residents benefitted from her instruction as a C.C.D. religion teacher. Ada was also one of the first appointed Eucharist Ministers, ministering holy communion to the area’s sick and shut-ins. She also crafted the small stoles for St. Stephen’s baptized babies, and has kept an extensive archive of the church parish’s activities from its founding. In 1991, she received the Bishop’s Service Medal, Diocese of Lafayette.
Those who knew “Miss Ada” were captured by her ever-present gentle spirit, unwavering positive attitude, and sweet personality. She was known not only for her empathy to others, but her determination to always focus on the best in people. And although the years took their toll in challenging her physically, she met these difficulties with grace and quiet acceptance. Those who knew her well also benefitted from her surprising yet subtle sense of humor.
Ada’s simplistic and unselfish approach to life made her a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John Fangue; daughter, Charlene Fangue Rentrop and husband Dale Rentrop Sr.; and great-grandbaby, Bethany Rentrop. She was the last surviving sibling of Otis Rhodes, Roland “Dusty” Rhodes, Lloyd Rhodes Sr., Cecile Rhodes Ledet, Leon Rhodes and Walter “Dub” Rhodes.
Surviving family members include daughters, Fran Fangue Clarke of Arnaudville, Louisiana, and Jean Fangue Kidd and her husband Ken of Austin, Texas; adult grandchildren, Dale Rentrop Jr. and wife Lauren of Berwick, Laura Rentrop Brignac and husband Malcolm of Baton Rouge, Patrick Rentrop and wife Janelle of Lafayette, Christian Rentrop and wife Victoria of Berwick, Michael C. McCullough III and Tabitha Skrobarczyk of New Orleans, and Chelsea McCullough Collier and husband Scott of Austin, Texas; Berwick great-grandchildren, Sarah, Grace and Claire Rentrop, and step great-grandchildren, Hanah, Luke and Kate Margaret Bailey, and Jayce, Tristian and Jaden Rentrop; and Lafayette great-grandchildren, Hillary and Camden Rentrop. Ada’s newest great-granddaughter is baby Bijou Nova McCullough of New Orleans. A host of nieces and nephews will also cherish her sweet memory.
She will be laid to rest at the Berwick Cemetery Mausoleum following a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at 11 a.m. The family invites visitation from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the Rosary being recited at 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City, Louisiana and St. Stephen Church in Berwick, Louisiana from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the day of burial.