Zella "Rhodetta" Dodd Jones Hamm, 94, of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, formerly of Hilldale, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Rhodetta will always be remembered for her faith, her joyful spirit, her deep love of music, and her endless kindness toward everyone she met.

Born on August 16, 1931, in Griffiths Creek, West Virginia, Rhodetta was the daughter of Arthur and Bertha Meador Dodd. Growing up on a farm, she learned early the values of hard work, perseverance, and gratitude—principles she carried proudly throughout her life. A gifted student, she graduated as the Salutatorian of Talcott High School at age sixteen, a remarkable achievement that foreshadowed her lifelong dedication to learning and self-improvement.

At just seventeen, Rhodetta married the love of her life, Ralph Jones. Together, they shared fifty-six remarkable years filled with love, laughter, and partnership. They built their life in the Hilldale area, where they raised four children and established several local businesses that became fixtures in their community. Their home was more than a home—it was a gathering place, filled with warmth, music, and friendship.  After Ralph's passing, Rhodetta later married Darrell Hamm, with whom she shared companionship and fond memories in her later years.

Music was always central to Rhodetta's life.  She grew up going to "singing school" taught by her father in the local churches and found that she could sing any part of harmony and had a natural ear.  A talented pianist, organist, and singer, she served for many years as church organist, pianist, and choir director at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church and later at Talcott United Methodist Church. Whether accompanying a hymn, directing a cantata or performing at a nursing home, Rhodetta's musical gifts brought joy to countless people. Ralph would accompany her on guitar or fiddle and together they hosted many country music gatherings at their home or camp on the Greenbrier, where neighbors and friends would join in harmony and joy.

Beyond her musical talents, Rhodetta was known for her creativity and craftsmanship. Her beautiful handmade quilts won many blue ribbons at the WV State Fair and WV Water Festival.  If you were lucky enough to receive a "Mawmaw Blanket" they were cherished treasures, each lovingly stitched with care and meaning. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking—famous among family and friends for her buttermilk biscuits and hot rolls. Her amazing garden flourished under her touch and she delighted in sharing its beauty and bounty with others. (She once got her picture in the paper for growing a 5 lb. sweet potato.) She knew how to can, make lye soap, tap maple trees, churn butter and cottage cheese, stained glass, work a loom, crochet and knit just to list a few of her many talents and hobbies.  She could read a book in one day, worked the crossword puzzle daily and was unbeatable at Wheel of Fortune.  Her quick wit and mischievous sense of humor made her the heart of any room, and her storytelling abilities captivated audiences of all ages.

Rhodetta's love for history and community shone through her work portraying historical figures at local schools and the Graham House, where she frequently took on the role of Mrs. Graham from the 1400s. Her performances delighted children and adults alike, connecting past and present through her vibrant spirit.  She also loved traveling and visited Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico to name a few.  Those who knew Rhodetta will remember her for her love of life, her resourcefulness and her kind heart.  She never met a stranger and always found a reason to smile, even in difficult times.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers James and Arthur Jr.; her husbands, Ralph Jones and Darrell Hamm; daughter in law, Susie Vass Jones and sons in law, Jack Holt and Edward Aycoth. She is survived by her sister, Leora Dodd Hunter; her brother, Paul Dodd; her children, Judy Jones Holt, R. Eugene Jones Jr. (fiancé Sherry), Mary Carol Jones, and Shirley Jones Aycoth;  seven grandchildren, Jack Holt (Sandy),  Kristin Holt Stadler (Michael), Eric Jones (Samantha), Brian Jones (Laurice), James Flanagan (Ashley), Lindsay Senay Murphy (Andrew) and Andrew Aycoth; nine great-grandchildren, Jadyn and Jaclyn Holt, Dylan Stadler, Lincoln and Marshall Jones, Landon, Hazel and Olive Murphy, and Keegan Peeples, in addition to beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.  All of whom carry her legacy of laughter, love, and faith.

The family would like to extend gratitude to all the caring staff at The Kempton at Brightmore and Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassionate care.  It was Rhodetta's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401-7335.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton, WV with Pastors Ronald Cobb, Sam Groves, and Jon Elardo officiating. Family and friends will gather to honor the beautiful life of Zella Rhodetta Dodd Jones Hamm — a life lived in harmony, joy, and unending love.