Learlean Rhodes was born in the union of Reves and Eula Mae Rhodes on December 4, 1929 in Milan, Tennessee. She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan at the tender age of twenty-one where she began her life as an adult. She worked in various capacities over the years, then landed her dream job where she worked as a social worker for the State of Michigan in the Child Protective Services Division. She met and married the love of her life, William Eugene Garel Jr. and they married on May 19, 1972 and remained married for thirty-eight years until his death in 2010. She experienced the new birth in Christ early in her life and became a devoted member of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Clifton Rhodes Jr. She remained a member until her peaceful entrance into heaven. Learlean was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and anyone who knew her understood family was her pride and joy. She spent countless hours talking about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed going to yard sales, finding great bargains, watching the Price is Right especially with her late brother Jewell Rhodes, and talking with her family and friends. She loved going to casinos, and shopping for clothes especially the latest fashions. She had two great passions, watching the Detroit Pistons (she watched every single game faithfully), and scratch-off lottery tickets (she would scratch until her arm got tired). She also enjoyed reading her Bible and singing gospel songs. Her singing voice would fill the house with God's Word and she raised her family to pray and love the Lord. Learlean peacefully entered into the loving arms of the Lord on Saturday, February 22, 2020 where she was surrounded by her children. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Reves and Eula Mae Rhodes; sisters, Mary Lee Carter and Mollie Bramley; brothers, Jewell, John L, and Dillard Rhodes; her loving husband, William Eugene Garel Jr.; daughters, Darlene Cann and Charlene (Cookie) Watts, and great-grandson, Kevin McEwen. She leaves to cherish her rich legacy her children, Dorothy Rhodes of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Garrett (Rhonda) Minter of Maui, Hawaii, Gregory (Kimberly) of Kentwood, MI, Rosa (Bunny) Minter of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lesa Hardiman ofGrand Rapids MI; fourteen grandchildren, Sparky McEwen, Kwan McEwen, Patricia (Trish) DuBoise, Salina Marshall-Mondy, Anthony (Tony) Walker Jr, Timothy (Woga) Watts, Tyler Bartz, Talen Bartz, Garrod Minter, Garrett Couch, Janae Norton, Tiffany Minter, Christina (Tina) Cann, and Lakeshia Pierce; sixteen great-grandchildren, Charles (Sparky) McEwen Sr, Adrain (AJ) McEwen, Janae McEwen, Halle Couch, Niya Couch, London McEwen, Keven McEwen (deceased), Murrayven (Raven) Mondy, Makensie Mondy, Myleese Mondy, Mylo Mondy, Kiara Smith, Alexus Miller, Devontae Smith, Blake Pierce and Jordon Pierce; seven great-great-grandchildren, Ezekiel (Zeke-Big Boy) VanderSloot, Paris McEwen, Jayel McEwen, Tionna Smith, Cayden, Ayden, and Zaydin. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends and neighbors.