RODNEY EDMONDS

On Saturday, October 29, 2016, our hearts were deeply sadden by the passing of our beloved brother, nephew, uncle and friend to many, Mr. Rodney "King" Edmonds who resided at 1316 Montgomery Avenue, Petersburg, Va. He was born August 15, 1964, to Rochester "Red" and Mozelle P. Edmonds.

He graduated from Petersburg High School, Class of 1984. He worked as a food service worker at Southside Regional Medical Center for several years and Golden Skillet. Rodney also worked as a domestic engineer for many persons in the Petersburg Area and at the former Tucker's Funeral Home.

Rodney was a faithful member of New First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Curtis L. Johnson. He served on the Men's Ushers Ministry and the Men's Ministry. Rodney was a member of the Playmaker's under the direction of Mrs. Marie Maniego. While working with the Playmaker's he was an understudy with major parts in the plays. He also worked with the stage crew.

Rodney enjoyed bringing delight to everyone with his prank telephone calls, dancing and helping out especially with Senior Citizens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rochester "Red" and Mozelle P. Edmonds; brother, Ronell Edmonds; aunt, Brenda Parham Gibbons; and an uncle, Gilbert Lee Parham.

Rodney leaves to cherish his memory six very devoted sisters, Ronda L. Edmonds, Roslyn E. Batts (Larry), Robin D. Whitaker (Edward "Duck"), Rose Q. Pegram (James), Rome L. Edmonds (Gary) and Ronette G. Edmonds, all of Petersburg; one very devoted brother, Rochester Edmonds, Jr. of Oakland, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Delmon Edmonds (Crystal), Demitrius Whitaker (Melodie) of Chester, Kendra Gainey (Genaro) of Charlotte, N.C., LáKita (Kareem), Querida (Marcus), Edward Jr., Rashawn and Láquita, all of Petersburg, Demita of Virginia Beach, Tierra and Mariah, both of Oakland, Calif.; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; aunts, Rosa "Nita" Jackson of Petersburg, Annie Parham of Chesterfield and Mildred Dodson of Atlanta, Ga.; uncles, William "Sonny" Jackson (Mary) and Maurice Bowles, Sr. (Alice) of Petersburg, Roy Gibbons of Teaneck, N.J., James Lofton of Chesterfield, Leon Blunt of Newark, N.J., and Roy Parham of Hackensack, N.J.; godparents, Joe and Marion Moore; godson, Traevon Bradley; a host of cousins, family and devoted friends too numerous to name to include: New First Baptist Church Family, Ethel Edmonds, Joyce Greene, Jackie Smith, Marie Harris, Cynethia Jones, Jesse Shaw, Clifton Bates, Lisa and Michelle Allen, Hazel "Pennie" Williams, Gloria Gray, Monica Cromarté, Carolyn Massenburg, Cynthia Pender, Alvin Harris and Albert Coles.

Services for Mr. Rodney "King" Edmonds will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Third Baptist Church, 550 Farmer Street, Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Leroy A. Cherry, pastor; and Rev. Curtis L. Johnson, pastor of New First Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va., eulogist. Interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016, at the funeral establishment.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Edmonds at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.