Pauline B. Johnson Rhodes: Coahoma Co. education servant, history maker

Being born in a place like Clarksdale, Mississippi, within a family of 12 children, Pauline B. Johnson Rhodes learned the value of education early on in life.

Rhodes is a voracious seeker of knowledge and explorer. Wanting to travel as far as possible outside of Mississippi, but she understood she needed to be educated first. The road to becoming educated led her to Coahoma Agricultural High School. The next step in her quest for more knowledge took her to Coahoma Junior College where she received an Associate of Arts degree in 1976. Not willing to sit on her laurels, she headed to Delta State University, leaving with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and a master’s and specialist degrees in School Leadership. 

During her educational trek, Rhodes developed a passion for her fellow Deltans and thought she could make her mark by educating others who grew up in the Mississippi Delta. 

Her first job was with the Mississippi Employment Service as a counselor, assisting Mississippians to navigate the employment service offerings to find jobs and understand their benefits. She remained at the Employment Service for eight years. Next, she became a teacher at Clarksdale High School where for 10 years she taught Business Education helping students learn about the inner workings of business. 

After leaving the classroom, Rhodes stepped into the role of principal, serving at Eliza Miller Middle School (West Helena, Arkansas), Coahoma Jr. High School, Higgins Jr. High School, and Coahoma County High School.

In 2003, Rhodes made history by becoming the first countywide elected African American female to serve as the Coahoma County District Superintendent, where she remained until her retirement in 2016. During Rhodes’ time as superintendent, she said, “All of my schools had passing grades, of which I am so very proud as the pinnacle of my 21 years in the educational system.” 

Rhodes is also a former member of the Coahoma Community College Board of Trustees. At present, she is studying for her doctoral degree in School Leadership & Administration.

During her professional journey, Pauline gained membership in several educational organizations, including the National Association of Black Educators, Mississippi Association of Educators, and Mississippi Association of School Superintendents.

Rhodes also is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, and the Historic First Baptist Church of Clarksdale, where she serves as a church trustee. The First Baptist Church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

On a personal note, Pauline is married to Grady Rhodes Sr., and they have two children, Grady Rhodes, II, and Valencia K. Rhodes Bilbro. She is the proud grandmother of one grandchild, Kennedy Raye Bilbro, who is her favorite travel companion. 

Her travels have taken her to Hawaii, Dubai, and Jerusalem (The Holy City). 

Rhodes currently spends most of her retirement days at the Forever Young Senior Center in Southaven, Mississippi.