C. Temple Rhodes Jr.

C. Temple Rhodes, Jr., age 86, of Centreville, Maryland, passed away on February 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 6, 1940, at home in Cordova, Maryland, Temple was the son to the late C. Temple Rhodes, Sr., and Mabel Ewing Rhodes. A ninth-generation Maryland farmer, Temple devoted his life to the land, to his family, to his faith, and to the agricultural community he cherished. Farming was not simply his occupation, it was his identity, his joy, and his legacy. In 1959, Temple met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Mielke, and after a brief nine-month courtship, they married. Together, they built their home farm, Chestnut Vale, in Centreville, where they raised their five children. Their partnership was rooted in faith, resilience, and a shared commitment to family and community. In 2019, Temple was inducted into the Maryland Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing Maryland farm families for exceptional contributions to agriculture, community service, and environmental stewardship. This recognition reflected not only Temple’s lifelong dedication to farming but also the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren. Temple and Pat faced early hardship when a devastating house fire in 1966 destroyed their home during a blizzard. With two young children and another on the way, they rebuilt with the help of family and neighbors. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to giving back. Temple and Pat were always among the first to lend a hand, offer equipment, send a meal, or support a family in need. Over the decades, Temple expanded the family’s farming operation to include Chestnut Manor, Whitehouse, Reed Lea, and Ewing Farm— all within the “golden triangle” of Queen Anne’s County. He embraced innovation long before it was common, integrating GPS, auto-steer, variable-rate fertilizer, irrigation, and grain storage systems to keep the farm thriving. He was equally committed to environmental stewardship, working with the Queen Anne’s County Soil Conservation District to implement best management practices, plant cover crops, create wildlife habitat, and preserve farmland for future generations. Temple’s dedication to agriculture extended far beyond his own fields. Living across from Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park, he supported countless youth programs, loaned equipment, and spent many summers at the county fair. He and Pat encouraged their children and grandchildren to participate in 4-H and FFA, instilling leadership, responsibility, and a love for the land. Family was Temple’s greatest joy. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Mielke Rhodes, his children, Jenny Rhodes (Jeff), Betsy Leager (Tom), Susan Edwards (Dolan), Carole Jones (Trey), and Temple C. Rhodes (Caroline) and his grandchildren: Chris, Ryan, Tommy, Josh, Nick, Mitchell, Danielle, Brandon, Rachel, Claire, Jordan, Morgan, Trippe, Alexander, Madeline, and Temple S. He was also survived by 17 great-grandchildren, and by his brother Edward Rhodes. In addition to his parents, Temple was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Lawerence and Betty Ann Councell, twin grandsons Temple Sidney & Raymond Wilson Leager, as well as other cherished family members who went before him. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, February 18th from 3pm - 7pm at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 408 South Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 19th at 10 am at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Centreville, Maryland. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Queenstown, Maryland. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church Restoration or Compass Regional Hospice honoring Temple’s lifelong commitment to agriculture, community, and service

C. Temple Rhodes Jr.

February 6, 1940 - February 12, 2026