Thursday | June 13, 2024
Rev. Bobby Joe "Bob" Rhymes entered this life with humble beginnings on November 21, 1944, as the third of five children born to Durwood Garlin and Bama Nell Barnes Rhymes. Growing up in Cotton Valley, LA, Bob was fun-loving and full of life. He was often found playing football, hunting, or fishing. His pride and joy was his '65 white-with-red-striped Falcon that people came for miles to race. He also had a mischievous side and was known to start a fight "just for the fun of it".
Around the age of 19, Bob met a young lady who caught his attention. The attraction was mutual. Shirley was known to make up excuses for a visit to the grocery store where Bob worked. A few years later in 1966, the plan of God began to unfold when the Rhymes family attended a revival and several of the household were baptized in Jesus' name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Within months, Bob accepted a call to ministry and married the love of his life.
The newlyweds soon departed for Texas Bible College. It wasn't long before their ministry grew and they began to travel as full-time evangelists. It was no surprise that this Godly couple was in high demand. Shirley was an anointed musician, singer, and songwriter whose worship led individuals to the presence of God. Bob was a fireball preacher whose testimony of how God had changed his life reached those that others deemed hopeless.
In 1971, Bob and Shirley took their first pastorate in the city of Dubach, LA. A few years later they once again hit the road as full-time evangelists before being elected as the new pastors of the First United Pentecostal Church of Crowley, LA. It was during their 17 years in Crowley that the couple became a family.
Bob was promoted to "Dad" in 1979 with the birth of their first daughter, Julie. In 1985, they welcomed their second daughter, Katie. Bob's love for his family was unmatched. He took time teaching his girls everything from how to throw a ball to how to live for God. His love and care for Shirley modeled for them the way a man should love and treat his wife. And if anyone tried to treat any of his girls differently, they might get a glimpse of the fight still left in him. When his daughters grew up and got married, Bob extended that same love-and warning-to his boys, Jonathan Haygood and James Haygood.
Bob went on to pastor The Pentecostals of Westlake and the Minden United Pentecostal Church. He served many years as presbyter for the Louisiana District UPC. He was a beloved pastor and genuine friend to those he served. He won souls with his evangelistic preaching and fostered a love and understanding of the Word with his teaching. Bob had a unique gift of encouragement that ministered to those who felt unreachable.
In 2017, Bob took a medical retirement after more than 50 years of ministry.
2017 also brought about another big change for Bob and Shirley with the arrival of their grandson, Jonathan Levi Haygood. What immense joy Bob had being Pappaw, sharing sports statistics, and going on outdoor walks and golf cart rides.
Through the years, Bob never lost his enthusiasm for life. His playful teasing and banter made life fun. His natural wit and charm were his trademarks. His love for his family was unmeasurable. He maintained an abiding love for his wife, even making arrangements to shower her with Mother's Day gifts during his last months. Married over 57 years, Bob and Shirley built a life together and lived an epic story of love.
In the ring of life, Bob was a fighter until the end. When faced with battles that knocked him to his knees, he always found God's strength to get back up. The words of friend and songwriter, Robert Fuller, can be applied to the life of Bob Rhymes:
I can go one more round. It might be the last one.
Then the bell will sound for that last and final time.
Then the Judge of all my battles will lift my hands for hell to see.
That I fought ol' satan one more round and won the victory.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Rhymes; daughters, Julie Rhymes Haygood(Rev. Jonathan) and Katie Rhymes Haygood(James); grandchild, Levi Haygood; brothers, Garlin Rhymes(Linda) and Ronnie Rhymes(Vicki); sister, Sharon Bower(Thomas); his faithful furry companion, Quincy.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Durwood Rhymes and Bama Nell Rhymes; sister, Janie Nell.
Pallbearers will be Alton Perry, Lonnie Zeno, Jason d'Augereau and Chris Broussard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Garlin Rhymes, Ronnie Rhymes, Levi Haygood, Harold Green, Milton d'Augereau and Rev. Lindsey Long.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Heart of Hospice (formerly Acadian Hospice); Dr. Thomas Voitier; Dr. Eric Trawick; his personal caregiver, Mary Anne Francis; Cindy Darby, CNA; Nurse Dayna Summers; Nurse Lana Martin; his chaplain, Rev. Byron Hypolite; and Rev. Gill Larsen who, with great love, penned Bob’s story.
12 июн 2024
