COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 224 FIRST ST. ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631 REV. DR. LESTER W. TAYLOR, JR.
A familiar passage of Scripture asks, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” and the answer can quickly be found in the inspiring and beautiful life of Rev. Lucy Gertrude Rodman which spanned over nine decades.
Born in “Little” Washington, N.C. during the Great Depression in the segregated south, Lucy was the daughter of very proud and supportive parents, Evangelist Lucy Perry Whitley and Deacon James Whitley. Making their home on O’Keefe Street, Lucy was the namesake of not only her mother, but her maternal grandmother as well, church musician Lucy Wilson Perry. As a result, Lucy was fondly known as “Little Lucy” to family and friends throughout her youth and even adulthood.
Lucy attended Catholic school in Little Washington and it was discovered that she was musically and theatrically inclined at an early age. Lucy sang and recited poetry at a host of venues, and even segregated spaces where Blacks were not welcomed. Lucy and her brother Tony sang, with their mother playing guitar, on a radio station in Little Washington, N.C.
Lucy contracted pneumonia at the age of seven, and the family Priest was called to their home to perform Last Rites. Thankfully Lucy recovered from her illness, and continued to share this testimony of healing throughout her entire life.
At a young age, Lucy moved with her family to Norfolk, Virginia to enhance their quality of life and to be closer to her material aunts. Lucy’s family attended a Methodist church, and then became members of a Holiness church after Lucy had a transformative, salvific experience at a revival which would forever change the trajectory of her religious life. Lucy led her family to a deeper relationship with Jesus at the Holiness church after her encounter, and there they remained.
Lucy and her family were active members of Holy Temple, United Holy Church of America (UHCA) where Bishop Hudson Fields was the Pastor. She matriculated through the Norfolk Public School System, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA.
Lucy enjoyed life in Norfolk attending church, spending time with friends, participating in school activities, public speaking and dancing even though she was reprimanded often for sneaking out to parties. One of Lucy’s greatest joys was singing. She sang with a group of friends and they would travel to churches and various venues bringing joy and spiritual renewal to many expectant souls. Lucy would proudly share the story of one of her most exciting gigs - singing backup for Grammy-Award-winning Gospel Artist Shirley Caesar early in her career. Lucy gave one of her first sermons as a teenager sharing the love of Jesus with clarity and assurance.
During the Great Migration, Lucy made a bold decision to leave her family and friends to pursue her nursing education in New York. She initially moved to Harlem, New York and lived with her Godmother Louise who was a beautician. Lucy loved her new life on the island of Manhattan where she enjoyed a career in retail at Macy’s Herald Square. She would generously send gifts to a host of family members back in Norfolk. Lucy also enjoyed Harlem’s night life of the 1950s where she put her smooth and unbounded dance skills to the test many nights. She eventually decided to leave her skills on the dance floor, and focused more of her attention on the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Lucy enrolled in college at Rockland Community College earning her Associate’s in Applied Science in 1965. While attending school, Lucy worked and lived “on the grounds” of Rockland State Hospital in Orangeburg, N.Y. She was the Head Nurse for the Medical Surgical Unit, and also worked in the Nursery and Employee Clinic. “Rockland” employed a number of Blacks who had recently migrated up north, and helped many families earn a living and establish financial security for generations. Lucy was so excited about the opportunities at Rockland that she convinced her family to join her up north, and she secured jobs for her mother, father, and sister in law, Mary Whitley.
One day while Lucy was walking on the grounds, someone yelled out of a window to compliment her on her sunglasses. She ignored him; however, shortly thereafter, they would reconnect under different circumstances. The person at the window was Robert Rodman another Rockland employee who also hailed from North Carolina near Lucy’s hometown. Lucy and Robert would eventually marry and have four girls together - Yvette, Venida, Faith and Vuyanzi (formerly known as Alicia). They lived in Rockland County before purchasing their home in Teaneck, N.J. during the fall of 1965.
After moving to Bergen County, Lucy continued to pursue her academic goals earning her Bachelor of Science from Marymount Manhattan College, and the Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Hunter College. She also received religious education degrees from the United Christian College. Her career as a Registered Nurse included positions within the New York City Health Department, Manhattan Psychiatric Center, and New York State Psychiatric Institute where she culminated her illustrious career as Employee of the Year as a Nurse Administrator. Lucy retired in 1990 serving as a New York State employee for 32 years.
While working and attending school, Lucy diligently and sacrificially provided for her daughters and exposed them to the arts, sports, camp, public speaking and many more opportunities to reach their full potential.
Lucy was a 40+ year member of New Covenant Temple, United Holy Church of America (UHCA) in Harlem, N.Y. where her Pastors were the late Bishop James A. Forbes, Sr. and the late Bishop Kenneth O. Robinson, Sr. Among other things, she was a member of the Ministerial Fellowship, a faithful Prayer Warrior, an alto in the Temple Choir, Mass Choir, and the Northern District Choir of the UHCA. Lucy was also a leader of the Food Pantry and Education Committee raising funds for youth going off to college. She was also involved in leadership in the Eastern N.Y. District Minister’s and Worker’s Union. During the past decade, Lucy was a member of Community Baptist Church, Englewood, Pastor, Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. where she was a minister and active member of the Mother Board.
Lucy resided in Teaneck for 47 years and her home was open to everyone. She created a hospitable environment for many who were in need of a place to stay for a myriad of reasons. Lucy’s home served as a place of love and fun for many sleepovers, Christmas Eve dinners, birthdays, and a host of other achievements and celebrations. Lucy’s home was also a house of prayer where she interceded for family, friends, and neighbors. She instilled the tradition of praying before meals, trips, going off to school, and whenever the spirit led.
Lucy’s travels took her to such places as the Holy Land, Bermuda, Barbados, St. Lucia, Martha’s Vineyard, and the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. In recent years, Lucy was active at the Richard Rodda Senior Center where she sang in the chorus and performed in their acting class.
Lucy used her gift of encouragement to inspire many people particularly women hosting retreats and other opportunities for women to embrace their full potential. She also adored her family, and was a woman of faith, generosity, hospitality, kindness, fun, determination, and someone who believed in living life to the fullest extent possible.
Rev. Lucy G. Rodman leaves to honor and live out her legacy: Beloved husband, Robert Rodman of Jersey City, N.J.; Treasured daughters, Yvette T. Rodman of Teaneck, N.J.; Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins (Todd) of Jersey City, N.J.; Faith Rodman Alpher (Daniel) of Livermore, CA; Vuyanzi Rodman of Nairobi, Kenya.; Brother, John Anthony “Tony” Whitley (Saundra) of Jacksonville, Fla.
She is also survived by grandchildren: Imani (Nathan) Goldman of Redondo Beach, CA; Aaron Rodman of Harrington Park, N.J.; Keith Rodman of Brooklyn, N.Y., Asia, Josiah, and Whitley Alpher of Livermore, CA, and Anthony Lotito; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, close friends and neighbors.
Lucy is predeceased by her Father, James Whitley (1993), Mother, Evangelist Lucy Perry Whitley (2005); Daughter, Virginia Lynn Jeanty (2021).
“Total
Proverbs 31:10-12; 28-31
Rev. Dr. Malachy M. Williams
First Baptist Church of Cranford/Elizabeth
New Testament Scripture
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Dr. Alex Ellis
Change Church, Ewing, NJ
Prayer of Comfort
Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson, Jr., Pastor
DreamLife Worship Center, Randallstown, MD
Proclamation
Gervonn Romney-Rice Teaneck Town Council
Mother Shirley Beckham
Elder Jeffrey Roberts
Ms. Sharon Robinson/Rev. Brenda Robinson
Ms. Tammie Beckett
Deacon Shulton Whitley The Grandchildren The Daughters
Musical Selection
One Accord: Rev. Lucy’s Daughters “As the Deer”/”God Is”
Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. The Message of Hope
Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. The Benediction “Every Praise Is To Our God” The Recessional
The family of Rev. Lucy G. Rodman is deeply appreciative of the calls, texts, prayers, cards, social media posts, visits, flowers, meals, and the many expressions of generosity and sympathy during our time of bereavement.
Ms. Faith Alpher
Dr. Nicole Avery
Ms. Tammie Beckett
Ms. Imani Goldman
Dr. Michele Y. Griffith
Ms. Monique D. Griffith
Ms. Tanya Jenkins
Ms. Joyce M. Whitley
Earl I. Jones Funeral Home, Inc.
305 First Street, Hackensack, N.J. 07601 Brent Smallwood, Senior Director
Interment
George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. Pastor
Staff and members of Community Baptist Church Ms. Chrystal Mateo
Will you step to her rhythm, and move to her flow?
Will you simply sit and wait when she resists with a “no”?
Will you gently satisfy her palate with delectable cuisine?
Will you be content with her sleeping late since, after all, she is the Queen?
Will you open your heart and listen when her words try to connect?
Will you treasure the funny expressions which help us all to forget?
Will you cherish the moments she refers to you as “cousin” or “the girl”?
Will you prioritize her needs as being the most important thing in the world?
Will you feel comfortable in the shower together fully bare?
Will you take the time to bathe her and moisture her with care?
Will you squeeze her neck and receive her earnest words to God?
Will you sit next to her as she naps – long or short nods?
Will you be her audience as she sings with the angels in her head?
Will you exercise patience when she doesn’t feel like going to bed?
Will you comply when she orders you to “sit down”?
Will you add more honey to her tea when she gives you that frown?
Will you roll her outside to soak in the bright sunshine at the beach?
Will you admire her extending hellos to the children and smiling at each?
Will you adjust your voice to a whisper when she says you’re too loud?
Will you celebrate her achievements and always be proud?
The answer to each question is an exuberant “yes” – “amen” – “I will”.
While she is in her final stage of life, I resolve to love her still.
