Margaret “Peggy” Marie Garrard Rhodes, 93, passed away September 10, 2026. She was born in Sandusky Ohio on December 31, 1932. She was 3 1/2 years old when she started taking voice and piano lessons. She was tested and found she had perfect pitch. Her music instructor built elevated foot pedals so she could learn to play the pipe organ. She was the youngest organist in the world at the age of 4. Pipe organ was her favorite instrument.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Robert “Bob” Rhodes, her parents, Thomas Edward and Marie Moyer Garrard, brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Barbara Garrard and a nephew, Edward Garrard.

Her mother taught her God first, family second, then all others.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Robert (Jan) Rhodes III of Athens, GA, Kimball (James) Hales, Brent (Vanessa) Rhodes, Allison Rhodes, and Amy Neighbors, all of Chattanooga, grandchildren, Drayton (Katie) Hales, Kelsey (Rawson) Ridley, Natalie (Milan) Mullins, Ryan (Maria) Rhodes, John Rhodes, Keller (Madison) Neighbors and Brady (Emberly) Neighbors and seven great-grandchildren.

She was a graduate of City High School and attended The University of Chattanooga where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She worked for the Electric Power Board and in the accounting department of TVA before starting her most honored role as a stay at home mom. She later began substitute teaching at Red Bank Elementary School where she also played piano for the glee club. She continued substitute teaching at Red Bank Jr High and finally found her home at Red Bank High School where she was proudly known as “Momma Rhodes” to so many students. She was a lifetime PTA member and was fortunate to chaperone Freedoms Foundation junior students to Valley Forge for two years.

She has been a member of Northside Presbyterian Church for 80 years where she was a member of the choir, Sunday school teacher, Elder and substitute organist and pianist.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Dr. Paul Rader officiating.

Peggy will be laid to rest in Chattanooga Memorial Park with her husband, Bob.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Northside Presbyterian Church.

Please share your memories and express your condolences to the family on their guestbook.