Marie Rhines

Mrs. Marie Rhines answered God's call on April 12, 2025. She accepted her Lord Jesus Christ at a very young age while attending St. Augustine A.M.E Zion and later Mt. Zion A.M.E churches in Bridgeton, New Jersey with her parents as a child. 

Marie attended and graduated from Seabrook Elementary School, and Bridgeton High School. 

After graduating from high school, she attended and graduated from beauty culture school and became a Licensed Cosmetologist. She at that time married the late William F. McFarland and they had their only precious son, Michael Anthony McFarland. After working for several years, however, she realized cosmetology was not her "niche", so she enrolled in Cumberland County Vocational Technical Institute in Bridgeton, New Jersey, trained and graduated with a diploma in nursing. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked for many years. Due to an unfortunate nursing accident, she retired from nursing. 

Marie later resided in Salem, New Jersey. She joined Mt. Hope United Methodist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Charles E. Kiah. She enrolled in Salem County Community College for two years and graduated with an Associate Degree in Clerical Science (ACS). After graduation in May 1986, she married the Rev. Dr. William L. Rhines, Jr., on June 14, 1986 and they were happily married for 34 years until his death on January 17, 2021. She affectionately called him her "sugar bear" 

Mrs. Rhines retired from the State of Delaware Division of Child Support Enforcement, after 14 years as an Administrative Assistant and was awarded many certifications, and gifts of appreciation. She also was her late husband, Rev. Dr. William L. Rhines, Jr.'s Administrative Assistant. 

Marie was the daughter of the late Ogden F. Sr. and the late Marie Dickerson. She was the third of five siblings: Sister Jean Elizabeth McFarland (Calvin) (both deceased), brother Ogden F. Jr. (deceased) (Dorothy), sister Evelyn Mae Bailey (deceased) (John, Sr.) sister Beverly Darlene Dickerson, and Mrs. Rhines only loved son, Michael Anthony McFarland. She is also survived by brother-in-law Siddeeq W. El-Amin (Faheemah), and sister-in-law Missionary Rosalind G. Hargrave. She has a spiritual daughter, Ms. Deborah Dungee and special friend Ms. Terry Jenkins. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and her Mt. Joy United Methodist Church family. 

Mrs. Rhines was a former member of Ezion Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, where she sang on the Chancel Choir, Gospel Choir, was a member of United Methodist Women, and was secretary for several years. She assisted with Spiritual Growth and Shepherd--volunteering for the food closet and scheduled members and other church families, who participated with the food closet. She faithfully attended the Care Program, under the leadership of the late Mrs. Margaret Brown. For many summers she attended the Adult Vacation Bible School where the late Rev. Dr. William L. Rhines, Jr. was a teacher. 

Mrs. Rhines was a currently a member of Mt. Joy United Methodist Church where she joined under the former pastorate of the Rev. Dr. H. Ward Greer. She dearly loved her Mt. Joy family, friends, First Lady Mrs. Joyce Powell, and Pastor Rev. Provey Powell, Jr. 

Her favorite scripture was The 23rd Psalm. Her favorite quote was from her late Mother-in-Law: "Life is not fair, but God is so good"      

Sorrowfully Submitted, 

Our Family