Henrietta Rhymes

Precious Memories

Henrietta Rhymes

Henrietta Rhymes was born on December 20, 1946, in Gary, Indiana, to her parents, Henry Phillips and Lillian Shorter. She was the second child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by the love of her brothers, Carl, Alvertis, Jerome, and her sisters, Marie, Patricia, Demitrius, Ynetta, and Teresa. She received her early education in Gary, Indiana, graduating from Roosevelt High School.

On December 14, 1966, Henrietta married Donald Edward Rhymes in Gary, Indiana, where they first met. To his union, Cavin, Latrise, and Andre were born. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother who took great pride in the care and nurture of her husband and children. They all fondly remember how good a cook she was. She was known for her greens and cornbread. She was later blessed with eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her “Grandma or Henny” and fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they spent together.

Henrietta was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed life and those she encircled. She enjoyed playing card games, watching soap operas, and watching game shows in her free time. Her closest friends, Ruby Dudley, Janette Tolliver, Joyce Coffee, and Mildred, will miss the many comraderies they all shared, her always making others feel welcomed, and her cute sassiness. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman. To know Henrietta was to love her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Rhymes; her parents, Henry and Lillian Shorter Simmons; a brother, Carl Dudley; sisters, Patricia Lyles, and Ynetta Bailey; and a special cousin, Brenda Russell.

Henrietta Rhymes departed this life on November 29, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include two sons, Cavin Rhymes, and Andre (Amy) Rhymes, Sr.; one daughter, Latrise M. (Joe) Patterson; two brothers, Alvertis Simmons and Jerome A. Simmons; three sisters, Marie Fields, Teresa (Danny) Collins, and Demetrius Lyles; eight grandchildren; Tequila Patterson, Ashley Harris, Ciara Patterson, Dayaunna (Steven) Taylor, Dakryn (Andrea) Rhymes, Devan Thompson, Andrea Rhymes, Andrinae Rhymes, and Andre Rhymes, Jr.; eleven great-grandchildren; one aunt, Ruby Howard; her dear cousin, Diane Barbie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.