Maudie Rhodes Ates

Maudie Rhodes Ates, 90, died in Opelika, Alabama, in the early hours of Saturday morning, October 19, 2024. Maudie was born at home in Nokomis, Alabama on August 3, 1934. She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. “Buck” Ates of Opelika, Alabama, her parents, William and Alma Rhodes of Atmore, Alabama, and her brother, Dallas Rhodes of Granbury, Texas. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Melisa and Meade Atkeson of Falls Church, Virginia, a daughter, Rebecca Poole of Opelika, Alabama, and five grandchildren whom she adored; Allie Atkeson of Richmond, Virginia, Sam Atkeson of Brooklyn, NY, Kate Atkeson of Richmond, Virginia, Will Atkeson of Richmond, Virginia, and Ben Atkeson, of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Louise Rhodes of Southlake, Texas, and many nieces and nephews. Two special friends will miss her greatly; her most loyal companion dog, Dottie, and cat, Lily.

Maudie graduated from Escambia County High School in Atmore, Alabama, and Secretarial School in Birmingham, Alabama. She held jobs at Chemstrand Corporation in Pensacola, Florida, where she met the love of her life, and Escambia Academy in Atmore, Alabama. Her primary job, however, and the one to which she gave herself completely, was being the wife of Buck Ates for 51 years, mama to Melisa and Rebecca for 63 years, and caretaker of a home and many animals during their lives together as a family in Atmore, Alabama. She enjoyed attending First Baptist Church in Atmore, Alabama, and Trinity Methodist Church in Opelika, Alabama, where she was an active member of her Sunday school classes. In the final year of her life, she was assisted by caretakers Pam Russell, Maria Rosa, and Chelsea Thomas, to whom her family is very grateful.

A private graveside service is planned in Garden Hill Cemetery in Opelika, Alabama where she will rest in peace beside Buck Ates.