Josephine Washington Rhodes was born November 3, 1950 in San Francisco, California to Hattie Gary and George Washington. She was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana where she attended Hollywood Elementary School, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacramento, and Union High School from which she graduated in 1968.

Josephine was briefly employed with the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, Willis Knighton Hospital as a surgical technician, and later accepted employment with AT&T as an assembler. Her employment continued until the plant downsized and transitioned. Her position changed and she was transferred to Columbus, Ohio where she remained until her retirement, move, and marriage to Wallace Rhodes.

She was a member of the Springfield B.C. in Shreveport, Louisiana where she was baptized under the leadership of Rev. J. T. Odom on the fourth Sunday in August of 1961, and remained until her move to the New Elizabeth Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Danny Mitchell. After moving to Winston-Salem, NC in 2001, she joined the Piney Grove Baptist church in 2009 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. James F. Linville.
Josephine married Johnny Williams and to this union one daughter, Kristle Renee Williams, was born. To know her was a delight because she was sincere, trustworthy and loving. She was a person one could regard as a friend.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Roy Lee Gary and Leander Gary.
She leaves to mourn her memory: her husband, Wallace Rhodes; Daughter, Kristle Renee Jones (Darryl.); step-children, Ellison Rhodes and Shirley Ward; one granddaughter, Chloe; one sister, Sylvia Lampkin; and a host of nieces and nephews along with an extended family of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 2:30pm on Saturday at the Chapel.