William Taylor Rhodes, Jr.

After a hard fought battle with addiction, William “Taylor” Rhodes Jr. from Ashland, VA passed away on June 29, 2019 of an accidental overdose at the age of 20 in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was attending classes at North Carolina State University.

Taylor was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and grew up in the Tuckahoe area until moving to Ashland, VA to finish his senior year of high school. Taylor loved tennis, golf, and basketball and was a fixture on the Ridge Top tennis courts in his youth. He hit a million tennis balls with Pat Anderson and Fred Bruner. He loved music, video games, dogs and had a gift for caring for little children. He had a huge heart and LOVED big. He had a wicked sense of humor and a smile that made the world a brighter place. We aren’t sure how to live in a world without his light.

He was loved fiercely by his parents, Taylor and Kerri Rhodes, his little sister, Blair, and his dog, Bess.

He was adored by his great grandfather, Bill Westbrook, grandfather, Carl Rhodes Jr. and his grandmother, Shirley Jenkins.

He was cherished by his uncles, aunts and cousins, Brian, Michelle, Abby, and Jack Jenkins; Rusty, Traci, Emma, and Bailey Fairheart; and Trey, Theresa, Carson and Lily Rhodes.

We are so grateful that he met the love of his life, Mica Porrata, and experienced loving and being loved in such an unconditional way. He was loved by his second family, Elizabeth, Grace, and Bennett Blackmon. He loved all of his friends, and we are so grateful for the love he had for Andrew Catlett and Trent Pulliam.

He was preceded in death by his adoring grandmother, Kendall Rhodes and loving grandfather, Charles Jenkins.

We also want to thank the staff and residents of Green Hill Recovery in Raleigh, NC for all they did to help Taylor in his battle.

There will be a celebration of Taylor’s life at Hope Church Westcreek Campus at 12445 Patterson Avenue on July 11, 2019 at 11:00 am with a reception immediately following at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to a fund to help those struggling with addiction. https://www.gofundme.com/memorial-fund-for-taylor-rhodes.