Body of Van Rhodes Returned From France, Buried Rhodes Cemetery, July 23, 1921

Colored Hero Buried

Dear Editor:

The body of Van Rhodes (colored) was brought by a white soldier from New York, July 23rd, and buried Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock in the Rhodes cemetery on the Astoria Mill Road near Jamesville the presence of a large number of friends, both white and colored. W.C. Moore and C.R. Leary spoke at the grave of the past life of the young soldier, and praised him for this good character and standing. S.A. Staton, D. Walker, Jack Archer, J.W. Winston, S. Morris and J.P. Hooper were the pall bearers. The choir sang “My Country Tis of Thee” and “The Star Spangled Banner” just before the interment. Rev. C.C. Roberson, pastor of the A.M.E.Z. Church, read the benediction.

Van Rhodes was the son of Carrie Pugh, and was born near Jamesville, North Carolina. He volunteered just after war was declared and was assigned to Co. B. No. 369 Regiment (colored). He was gassed during a battle and sent to a first aid hospital where he died soon after.

--W.C. Moore, Jamesville, N.C.

From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., August 2, 1921. The A.M.E.Z. Church is the A.M.E. Zion Church.