April 19, 1962 - July 29, 2010

ELKHART -- Viola Rowena "Rhoda" Gipson, 48, of Elkhart, died at 5:52 p.m. Thursday (July 29, 2010) in Hospice House of Elkhart after an extended illness.

She was born April 19, 1962, in Lexington, Ky., to Earnest and Florence (Lutz) Cartwright. She married Danny Joe Gipson on Nov. 9, 1979, in Florida. He survives in Elkhart.

Also surviving are daughters Sally Gipson and Crystal (Sebastian) Baltazar; sons Joseph (Jennifer) and Kevin (Shawna Sharp) Gipson, all of Elkhart; brothers Frankie Lee Goforth, George K. and Byron K. Ross and Loren M. Cartwright; sister Melissa L. Ross; and nine grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 1, 2010) at Biblical Church of Acts, 210 Union St., Wakarusa, before the service at 3:30 p.m. Pastors Robert Lambert and Hershel Anderson will officiate. A procession will leave the church on Monday (Aug. 2, 2010) to Frame Cemetery, Elkhart, where a graveside committal will take place.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the church or to Hospice House of Elkhart.