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Tower Views
December 2021
Trixie “Mama” Rhodes’ Story
V erlina “Trixie” Rhodes was born in Jackson Springs, North Carolina, the
oldest of 13 children. She was abandoned by her mother, who went to
New York to find work. Trixie and one of her brothers were initially
raised by their grandparents, who had 15 children of their own. Trixie thought of
them as parents. Her grandfather was a sharecropper who grew cotton, tobacco,
and beans. Trixie recalls the years with her grandparents as the best years of her
life. Starting at the age of 9, she assumed the role of “Mama” for the younger
children, acting as cook, housekeeper, and disciplinarian.
Trixie’s mother returned to NC when Trixie was 14, then took the kids to Indianapolis to live with her and her
husband, Trixie’s stepfather. Trixie was “heartbroken” to leave her grandparents’ home. She “couldn’t take” her
new living situation, so she left home and sought refuge with the local welfare department. She was placed in
the home of “2 old ladies”, Sally and Jessie, and stayed with them until she was 18. She then got a job at a
restaurant washing dishes and moved to her own apartment. When the restaurant closed, she was hired to work
as chef for a motel on the 3:00-11:00 shift. Her boss at the motel loved her because she kept the food costs at a
reasonable level. Trixie had learned “to really cook” from her foster mom Jessie.
In her mid-20’s, Trixie met Robert Rhodes. They married and had 4 children: Kenneth, who died from
hemophilia at the age of 9, Kim, who is now 62; Robert, who is now 55; and Lillie, who is now 50. The couple
had a “good life” together, but her husband died of lung cancer (a work-related disease) at the age of 38. In
addition to her own biological children, Trixie raised numerous foster children, adopted 3 children, and became
legal guardian for 3 children. They called her “Mama Rhodes”. With one exception, all of these children
became productive and responsible adults. At one time she had 17 children in her care and they lived in a 5-
bedroom home that had been built by Habitat for Humanity. Their house would often be full of neighbor kids on
weekends because Trixie was known to be a great cook. The family moved to Minnesota in 1981 because Trixie
was afraid that the mother of Maurice, Nicole, and Steve, 3 of her charges, would come to take them back.
These children had been staying in a bus station and eating garbage until they came under Trixie’s care; she
later adopted them.
Although Trixie received monthly payments for her foster children and a stipend for her adopted children, she
had to be frugal to survive. She received food commodities and frequented food shelves. She did her own
canning and put up preserves. She made sure that her charges were well fed and nicely dressed; she fixed the
girls’ hair herself. She says, “All the kids loved to eat”. They especially loved it when she would cook a big pot
of chili and serve it with oyster crackers. Her daughter, Lillie, thought they were rich but used to say, “You
could make a meal out of nothing”.
Trixie stays in touch with her children, grandchildren, and the others she has cared for. Her oldest daughter,
Kim, is an evangelist with a degree in education. Her son, Robert, lives in Blaine and has 6 children. Lillie lives
in Texas. Trixie feeds her grandchildren her special fried shrimp, plays cards and other games with them, and
involves them in art projects. Here at Central Towers, where she has lived for 3 years, she does a lot of cooking
and shares the food with her neighbors. She does “diamond art” and wants to teach that to others. Trixie is a
happy person, who sees her life as enjoyable and rewarding. She says that her faith has gotten her through the
hard times.
Part 2 Coming in January 2022
TOWER VIEWS
In this issue:
Central Towers
• Trixie’s Story 1 Dining
• Dining Details 2
• Community Events 3
• Pastor’s Message 4
• Word Games 5
Lunch & Dinner
• PHS News 6
Lunch Food Distribution
11:30 am - 1:00 pm (All dates subject to change)
Dinner is available for Salvation Army
pick-up during lunch Food Bag Pick Up
Dining Room Every Wednesday
Lunch = Free You must be signed up
215-4544 by 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Dinner = $5.00
Front Desk
215-4600 You can sign up at the
Front Desk.
Security
651-900-5856
Pantry Bag Pick-up
Food Mobile Will be
Thursday, Dec. 30
Thursday, Dec. 16, 1:00 pm 10:00 am
Friday, Dec. 17, 10:00 am in the
Resident Services
Mission Lobby Office
To honor God * See Brian for
by enriching the lives more information*
and touching the hearts
of older adults.
Page 2 20 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101TOWER VIEWS
A Note from SASH
A s some of you already know, December will be the last month that SASH will be providing
services at Central Towers and at the other PHS facilities that sponsor SASH. SASH is a model of
service that Presbyterian Homes and Services brought to Minnesota from Vermont in 2019 which was
financially supported by a two-year Cargill grant. Cargill was gracious enough to extend the grant an
extra 6 months which brings us to mid December 2021.
I am grateful for: the vision of Dan Lindh and other leadership for bringing this wellness program to
Minnesota, for the financial backing from Cargill, for the support of our host housing staff and most of
all for the support of the people living at Central Towers that trusted us to be part of their lives and
health/wellness journey for the past 2-1/2 years. It has been my privilege to have known and served
you at Central Towers. I wish you all continued good health and wellness.
Deb Paulson, LSW/SASH Coordinator
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I t has been a true joy to work at Central Towers over the past 2.5 years. I am saddened that our SASH
program is coming to an end. Getting to know and connect with the people who live and work at
Central Towers is a great privilege. I am honored that you have shared your wisdom, your lives, and
your stories with me.
I carry this community in my heart and wish you all continued peace and well-being.
With Love,
Judy, Wellness RN
Take a Visit to the Library!
T he best view from anywhere in our building. Quiet, comfortable conversation corner. Desk with
lamp and power strip for computer use. Well-lighted shelves. And a wealth of reading material.
I’m talking about our Central Towers library, of course, and inviting you to come check it out.
Eleventh floor, A side. I or another volunteer will be there every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 pm to
answer questions or just talk, but you can come any time that our common rooms are open. Rules are
simple: choose a book, and return it to the box provided.
In the past few months we have received close to 100 books, most with publication dates of 2005 or
later. The donations included so many large print books we now have nearly two full shelves, at the top
of the first bookcase inside the door. Several coffee table books are displayed on the bottom shelves,
and something has been added to all sections: biography, fiction and non-fiction, faith, Minnesota,
Civil War, America, and more.
For those who love accounts of the Old West, start with any one of the series with that name (even
with a separate index) on the bottom shelf of the second section from the door.
All are welcome
www.centraltowersphs.org Page 3TOWER VIEWS
From the Desk of Pastor Gail...
Seeking God this Season
“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly
waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him
that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So
when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to
reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” … Anna, a prophet, was also there in
the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband
died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She
never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshipping God with fasting and prayer. She came
along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the
child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” ~ Luke 2:25-32, 36-38
(NLT)
W hen I read this passage, I’m a little jealous of Simeon and Anna. These two servants of God had been
waiting to meet Jesus, their Messiah, for a long, long time. Their faithfulness was rewarded when
they saw Jesus face to face. Most of us expect immediate answers to our questions or requests. When I
research something, I make phone calls, read or go online, expecting to find the information I need right
away. Prayer doesn’t usually work that way. Anna and Simeon were old when God answered their prayers.
Just think what they would have missed if they’d given up on God. Can you imagine losing out on the
opportunity to see the Son of God as a newborn baby?
Have you been praying for something for a long time? Months? Years? Decades? Don’t give up! During
the Christmas season we joyfully celebrate Christ’s birth, at least outwardly. Yet, this can also be a time
when we may not truly experience God’s peace and joy because of unanswered prayers or devastating
losses that dull our ability to celebrate the wondrous miracle of new life in Christ. Nonetheless, God is still
at work, and he has not forgotten our prayers – whether we’ve been praying about something for 10 days or
10 years. I pray that during this Advent Season you will experience Christ’s comfort and answers to your
prayers as you continue, like Simeon and Anna, to faithfully seek God.
Blessings to you during this Christmas season,
Pastor Gail
Page 4 20 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101TOWER VIEWS
Tuesday, December 21
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Dining Room
Lunch, Music with Lars & Raffle
Holiday Humor
Q. What did the bald man say when he got a
comb for Christmas?
A. “I’ll never part with it!”
Q. What’s Santa Claus’s favorite type of
potato chip?
A. Crisp Pringles!
Q. What do you call a Yeti with a six-pack?
A. The Abdominal Snowman!
Q. Who is a Christmas tree’s favorite singer?
A. Spruce Springsteen!
Q. How do Christmas trees get ready for a
night out?
A. They spruce up!
Q. How does a sheep say Merry Christmas?
A. Fleece Navidad!
Call today for information or a Personal Tour Page 5Central Towers
20 East Exchange Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
651-215-4600
www.centraltowersphs.org
Postmaster: address correction requested
Presbyterian Homes & Services is a
nonprofit organization and an equal
opportunity employer serving older
adults through community services,
housing, and health care.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.
ALL FAITHS WELCOME.
The light of Christ shines through us
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” ~ John 1:9
A s the darkness of winter enfolds us, the beautiful
lights of the Christmas season begin to shine in
our communities. Their radiance reminds us that Jesus
Every resident, volunteer, employee, family member,
donor and friend of PHS is invited to carry this light
in an environment where serving one another and the
Christ is the Light of the World. The Gospel of John world is encouraged and appreciated. We faithfully
proclaims, “The true light that gives light to everyone honor God when we serve and God faithfully blesses
was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) us by calling us to service that bears love
and compassion.
Christmas also shines light on acts of good will,
reminding us that we are called to share the light of God’s light in Jesus shines brightly at Christmas to
God’s love, revealed in Jesus, with one another every remind us that we are loved and capable of loving
day. Jesus taught his followers to “…let your light in return, and that together we can cultivate
shine before others, so that they may see your good communities of care where Christ’s love shines
works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” within and among us.
(Matthew 5:16) May the light of Christ’s love shine on you and yours
Jesus’ words shape Christian ministry at PHS all year this Christmas and throughout the year ahead.
long. Our mission to honor God by enriching the lives
and touching the hearts of older adults is grounded in
the belief that God’s love is revealed to us in the light
Merry Christmas!
of Jesus Christ and we, in turn, are called to reflect
this love and light in everything we do.You can also read
