Oleta Faye (Harris) Rhoads was born August 8, 1956 in Carnegie, Oklahoma to Gene and Movita Harris and passed away March 10, 2026 at the age of 69 years.
She inherited her parents’ great love of music and especially loved country and bluegrass. She wrote songs, sang beautifully and often made music with her family.
She was a graduate of Belle High School in 1974,
In June of 1974 she married Patrick Rhoads.
In 1985, Oleta returned to college at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri and pursued a degree in Education. She taught elementary and later high school English at Belle Elementary and High School, Steelville High School, Newburg High School, and Owensville High School.
Oleta helped found Mid Missouri Community Theater. She poured her time and talents into every part of its production. From directing, acting, creating costumes to building sets, she helped bring countless stories to life on stage.
After retiring from teaching, she opened a quilt shop.
She was baptized at First Christian Church in Belle. She later became a member of Bland Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene Harris, Movita Harris and Otis Johns; sisters, Terri Randolph and Omega Vann; brother, Greg Johns; and daughter, Eliza Pope.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Patrick; children, Amanda (Jay) Fazekas, Sarah (Darrel) Sharpe, Tito Pope, Amos (Torrie) Rhoads, Gabriel (Erin) Rhoads; grandchildren, Jazmen Bell, Christian Sharpe, VJ Williams, Logan Sharpe, Quintin Reed, Azariah Pope, Georgia Sharpe, Elizabeth Williams, Madelynn Rhoads, Kyrie Rhoads, Carson Rhoads, Morgan Rhoads, Vada Rhoads, Keane Rhoads and Kylan Rhoads; great grandchildren, Grayson and Crewe Reed; siblings, Cathy Collins, Rick Harris, Felena Budnik, Les Johns and Joley Clark; other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life was held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Belle Community Church in Belle, Missouri. Meal was served at 2 p.m. with visitation from 4-5 p.m.
Arrangements under the direction of the Sassmann's Chapel in Belle, Missouri.
