Rodney L. Bramble

Rodney Bramble, loving and devoted husband and father, slipped peacefully away to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on August 13, 2023, at his home in Westland Michigan. In doing so, he was reunited with his cherished wife Evelyn who had entered into glory on June 18, 2021.
Rodney grew up in the Detroit area until he moved to Wayne Michigan where he graduated from Wayne Memorial High School, class of 1957. He was a great athlete and even landed a tryout with the Detroit Tigers while in high school. He also was a popular musician, and after he and three friends won a talent show they officially formed the DelRios (later the Melodies) and began working Friday nights as a local band. He always laughed when he reminisced about having an official fan club.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army stationed stateside and in Germany from 1962-1968. While home on leave one winter's day, he married Evelyn on December 28, 1964. They would celebrate 58 years of marriage before being separated by death.
At 22 years of age, he landed a coveted job for General Motors Company at the Willow Run Plant. He would work faithfully for GM for 42 years serving on the line, as a foreman and as a driver. He was highly celebrated in his retirement in 2002.
He enjoyed being an athlete and enjoyed great success as a bowler, golfer, and softball player. There are many stories of his perfect 300 game, his hole in one, and his strategy of just hitting a homerun so he could just jog around the bases. Over time he became more of an armchair athlete-a faithful University of Michigan fan, Detroit Tiger fan, and a persevering Detroit Lions fan.
Though at times a quiet guy, he never met a stranger. He was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone and would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He laughed easily and had a simple yet profound wisdom of life that could make you feel at ease and encourage you to be the best you could be.
Above all, he was a family man. He was a devoted son and never moved far from home. He was his dad's best friend and always the apple of his mom's eye. He was a devoted big brother, always looking out for his kid sister Pamela. They would always be each other's most trusted person.
His proudest accomplishment, no doubt though, was his three daughters Dori, Lisa and Michelle. He loved his girls more than anything else and devoted himself to their happiness and their interests. He was an ever-present fan of sporting events, sat through countless performances and was quick to brag about them always. His love and devotion to his family defined who he was and who they would become.
It was with great joy that he became a Grandpa and showed the same love and devotion to his grandkids. He was very proud to have two granddaughters and ten grandsons! He is beloved by each of them, and they have known the privilege of having a real-life hero to look up to and admire.
It was simply icing on the cake to become a Great Grandpa to two great grandsons and two great granddaughters.
Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Dolores Bramble, and his wife Evelyn. He is survived by his sister Pamela Scott (Bob), his three daughters; Dori Willeman (Don), Lisa St. John (Ken) and Michelle Campbell (Don). His grandchildren: Megan Willeman (Reece), Brett Campbell (Amanda), Katie Gilbert (Jack), Andrew St. John (Lauren), Ben St. John (Taylor), Jacob Willeman, Jack Campbell, Jon Willeman, Steven St. John, Dan Campbell, Nate St. John, and Luke Campbell. Great-grandchildren: Colter, Wilder, Mary and Indie. His Niece: Renee' (Dale) Liske and his nephew Todd (Tonya) Scott.
Visitation Friday 4 pm – 8 pm at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 42682 Ecorse Rd., Belleville. In state Saturday 9 am followed by the 10 am Funeral Service at Mt. Calvary.