Rev. Dr. Cheryl Martin Bass Rhodes, affectionately known as “Oma,” passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, with family by her side in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 78. Cheryl was born on December 10, 1946, in Petersburg, Virginia. She attended Hampton High School and graduated from Ferguson High School in southern Virginia. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Carolina in 1974. During her time at Carolina, she met and married her husband of 59 years, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Robert Rhodes.
In 1983, Cheryl graduated and was ordained by Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. She went on to serve as a Methodist pastor of many churches in the United States and Germany for more than 30 years. Among her many accomplishments, in the 1980s, she founded the first English-speaking Methodist Church in Munich, Germany. This church (now Peace Church United Methodist) continues to serve the international community today. She also pastored at the Armed Forces Recreation Center churches in Germany and at Main Street United Methodist Church (now Columbia United Methodist Church) in Columbia, South Carolina, where she was honored as Pastor Emeritus. Upon graduating seminary, she was named “Best Biblical Preacher,” and one of her sermons was published in the National Methodist Selected Sermons.
Cheryl earned her Doctorate in Religion from Erskine University in 1999, and she received her Master’s in Religion from the University of South Carolina in 2002. Beyond her pastoral work, she taught religion over the course of 40 years at Schiller International University in Heidelberg, Midlands Technical College, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of South Carolina. In addition to world and comparative religions courses, she combined her love for film with imaginative pop culture-focused classes about religion in Twilight, The Davinci Code, and more.
As a military spouse, she served alongside Robert during his 22 years of service with the United States Army, both stateside and abroad. Cheryl was also a proud tribe member of the Nansemond Indian Nation based in southern Virginia.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Alexander and Jeanette Martin Bass. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert, their children, and their families: Rob Rhodes (Jennifer), Derick Rhodes (Brigid), Geoff Rhodes (Candler), and Heidi Rhodes (Ashleigh). She is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Sarah Louise, Isabella, Sam, Soren, Hearn, Emma Cynthia, AJ, Asa, Emma Jean, and Elliott; as well as her extended family and lifelong friends.
Cheryl’s family was her heart. She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose remarkable legacy lives on in her family. Education and writing were central passions in Cheryl’s life, and she always supported her children and grandchildren in their academic careers. Cheryl authored academic works, including college texts on religion in film, and she traveled the United States and Europe to write her book, Before They All Fly Away: The Rich Symbolism of Eagle Lecterns. Cheryl was an avid traveler who encouraged everyone to embrace adventure and other cultures, including her family and the many church and college groups she led on trips throughout Europe. In later years, she and Bob especially enjoyed Caribbean and European cruises together; her love of travel inspired many to see the beauty of the world.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Shandon United Methodist Church.
Donations in Cheryl’s memory may be made to Peace Church United Methodist Church in Munich, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=K49L7HP3CPQSG or Columbia United Methodist Church, https://colaumc.org/give/