Makalia Rae Rhoades
July 21, 1999 ~ August 20, 2025
Makalia Rae Rhoades, 26, of Columbus, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 20, 2025 from leptomeningeal carcinoma. She fought hard for 5 weeks till her last breath.
She was the daughter of Brandon and Amy Rhoades, born on July 21, 1999.
Makalia graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Forensic Psychology, with desires of being a FBI profiler. Reading and writing short stories was something she enjoyed when not consumed in her studies or working diligently at her job with Cummins Fuel Systems. Her favorite quote was, “Go ahead and live with your head held high! No matter how devastated you may be by your own weakness or uselessness, set your heart ablaze. Grit your teeth and look straight ahead.” from Demon Slayer her all-time favorite show. She loved her pets dogs, Rosie and Hunter. She was very fond of her guinea pigs, Wynona and O’Phelia. Makalia often spent her time with her loved ones and held each one of them in her heart. Makalia is the best daughter, the best sister, and the best KiKi there will ever be. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Survivors include her parents, and siblings, Isac Rhoades; sister in law Esperanza Rhoades, and Taylor Moon; niece, Lydia Rae Moon; nephew, Maverick Bruce Moon, grandparents Richard (Rick) and Beverlee Williams, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who all love her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandma Patricia Schulz and paternal uncles Roger Ellis and Mo Rhoades, and great grandparents Eva and Randolph Rhoades.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM at Jewell Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor Justin Reinhardt officiating. Calling hours will be from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.
Services were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.






She was always the most supportive person of my art. We often watched her favorite show together and talk during late nights. I’ve only known her for a year, but she was genuinely one of the sweetest and kindest person you could have met. May she rest easy. -Emma-Rose Finley.
My heart breaks for you Brandon and Amy. Makalia was taken far to soon. I’m holding you in my prayers and thoughts and asking God to carry you through this heartbreak.
Thank you so much, Tracy. It’s been unbearable. We just miss our girl. Thank you for thinking of her.
Lit a candle in memory of Makalia Rae Rhoades
I still have them pictures of me and you at the zoo on a field trip and I’m going to love you and miss you my beautiful niece
To Amy and Brandon , we are so sorry for your loss at such a short time. You have memories and good times of her. She was very loved. Prayers and love to you folks.
Thank you for thinking of our girl Janice. You’re such a sweetheart. We loved her so.
Lit a candle in memory of Makalia Rae Rhoades
I love you makalia Rae, I’m going to miss you!!!
She was one in 1 million. She said RaRa was one of them who came for her. She loved him so much and I know she loved you too so hard to believe she’s gone so much heartache with someone so young goes we have so many plans. She just graduated. School was getting ready to start her life.
Gracious Lavender Basket was purchased for the family of Makalia Rae Rhoades.
Lit a candle in memory of Makalia Rae Rhoades
I love you baby girl I will miss you till we meet again from your grandma Patty
Oh my sweet Kalia Walia how I keep coming back to this hoping and praying it’s a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. I love you thank you for always showing me blood doesn’t make you family. Family makes family. 😭 God swear knows how to pick the most beautiful flowers everytime, spread your wings sissy and fly high 🪽
She loved you so much! Thank you for always being such a good friend to her.
Mommy and daddy love you are beautiful girl! We wish we could wake up from this horrible dream and you could still be here, but I know you’re resting in the arms of God and you have a much more important job ahead of you. Until we meet again. We love you, Kal.
My heart breaks and you are missed. I know God has bigger plans for you and I know you are with MA. Please give her love from me and know I think about you both all the time. Love you both so much. Fly high.
I love you so much sis. I just know ma welcomed you to heaven with biggest hug. I hope you finally got to see the new demon slayer movie and loved it. My heart is broken but I’m glad you are no longer in any pain or suffering. I can’t wait till the day we meet again. God has the most beautiful and smartest angels with him now. I love you forever❤️🩹
I just want you to know sissy I love you so much. I’m just heartbroken. I’m torn into 1 million pieces. Im glad you’re not in any pain or suffering anymore sissy you didn’t deserve it. I’m sure Ma was there with open arms at heavens gate. You will be missed so much sissy just know how much you were loved. God has received one of a kind, angel and that you Makalia. I will miss you so much but I know you will watch over us until we meet again. I hope you fly high sissy. I love you love aunt Tammy.
Lit a candle in memory of Makalia Rae Rhoades
I will miss you so much, sis. I am just heartbroken beyond words, but I’m so glad you’re not in pain or suffering anymore and I know Ma was there with open arms. Just know you will always hold a place in my heart. I will miss you so much. I hope you took the angel to heaven with you. Fly high baby girl you didn’t deserve any of this.
I love you, sissy❤️❤️❤️❤️
Your aunt Tammy misses you and loved you very much💔 heartbroken. I hope you took the angel to heaven with you sissy and I know Ma who was there with open arms to welcome you to heaven, and I know you will be watching over all of us, but never forget how much I loved you
An external video has been added.
Mama and daddy sure do miss you! Life is not the same without you. Fly high baby girl
I don’t know how it’s been 7 days since you have been gone… I miss you so much sissy. My heart aches to have you here with us.
Lit a candle in memory of Makalia Rae Rhoades