Rhodes was a retired Photography Professor at Atlanta College of Art and Southeastern Center for the Arts and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving in Vietnam.
He was a graduate of Old Dominion University and obtained a Master's Degree from Georgia State University. Marvin was active in the City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, where he received many grants and earned the Award of Excellence from the City of Atlanta and Georgia State University Alumni Association. Marvin was known for being straight forward, honest and having a very quick wit. He helped countless homeless veterans with a selfless concern of never being noticed. His work graces the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, High Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
Emory Universtiy's Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library acquired Marvin Rhodes's archive in 2019.