Linda Joy Rhoden

Linda Joy Rhoden, age 73, of Camden, Ohio, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2014, at McCullough-Hyde Hospital in Oxford, Ohio. Born on November 16, 1940, in Hamilton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Dwight H. and Edith L. (Miller) Donohoe.

Joy was a 1958 Shawnee High School graduate. She was a 1962 graduate of Miami University and earned a Masters of Education degree from Miami in 1974. She taught school for 31 years, first for Dayton City Schools from 1962 through 1967, and then for Eaton City Schools at the Dixon-Israel building from 1967 until her retirement in 1993. After retirement, she worked as a tax preparer for Don Pollock and as a legal assistant for Karen Clark.

Joy loved the Camden community and has been one of its finest citizens, dedicating her life to making it a better place to live. She helped to establish the Camden Emergency Squad and was an active member of the Squad for many years. She served on the Camden Council. She served on the Camden Library Board from 1985-1990. She was instrumental in the formation of Friends of the Camden Library. She is an Honorary member of the Philomathean Club. She was Curator of the Camden Archives for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Camden Chamber of Commerce and the Camden Beautification Committee. She was a member of the Camden United Methodist Church.

Joy also enjoyed reading, writing poetry, and travel. In her younger years, she spent two summers hitchhiking through Europe and working at odd-jobs. In her later years, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending their events, playing Qwirkle with The Qwirkle Girls, and keeping up with family, friends, former students and classmates.

Joy was an inspiration and friend to all who knew her. She will be missed by many.

Joy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shannon Elizabeth and Jeffrey Alan Steele of Camden, Ohio, and her beloved grandchildren, Mackenzie Elizabeth Steele, Sydney Donohoe Steele, and Jeffrey Alexander Steele, all of Camden, Ohio. In addition, she is survived by many cousins, including a special cousin with whom she was raised, Lynn Braden of Montgomery, Texas.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Nein-Barnes Funeral Home, 249 North Main Street, Camden, Ohio 45311. Inurnment will be in Fairmount Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eleanor I. Jones Archives, c/o Helen Whitesell, 342 North Main Street, Camden, Ohio 45311. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com.