Roderick H. Ferebee Sr.

I am the resurrection and the Life said Jesus, whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die but have life everlasting. -John 11:25 Roderick Harland Ferebee, Sr. was born on February 4, 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the third son of three children born to William Crawford Ferebee and Corietha Creecy Ferebee at City Hospital. On the evening of April 30, 2018, God called Roderick home after a courageous battle with Crohn's disease, Lung cancer and asthma. Roderick's Christian journey began when he accepted Christ at an early age and was christened and confirmed at St. James' Episcopal Church on May 25, 1969. He was education in the Baltimore City Public School System and attended Gwynns Falls Elementary School # 60, William H. Lemmel Junior High School #79 and Douglass High School #450. Roderick LOVED music. From childhood he was destined to be an entertainer starting our in the basement of his godparents Eddie and Naomi Cunningham's home, 3309 Powhattan Avenue where he was the “lead” showman for the group Chain Reaction which consisted of Marshall Ferebee, Edward and Michael Cunningham, Jimmy Cook and Danny Harper. Roderick could DANCE! He was choreographer and MC for The Stylistics, Softones, First Class & Ray Goodman & Brown, Najee, Melba Moore and Freddy Jackson. Roderick will also be remembered for being one of the “badddddddest drummers” in the music industry. He idolized Buddy Rich and imitated him playing drums and became a fantastic drummer. The first group that Roderick founded in Baltimore while he was road managing Ray Goodman & Brown was Renaissance. Roderick had a good sense of humor, he was funny and everyone loved to be around him. He was a caring, kind and wonderful man. He made it his business, and to get the most craziest, wonderful birthday cards for his family and friends that he could find. He always called you on your birthday...Long before You Tube, Facebook, Instagram came out, he knew everyone's birthday and proudly called. Roderick enjoyed and lived life to the fullest. Family was dear to his heart and his greatest source of pride and happiness were in his children and grandchildren. Roderick reached out to help others and loved everybody. He loved animals all of his life and took care of so many stray animals. Roderick actually believed he could talk to animals and it appeared that the animals would have a conversation back with him. Roderick was a world traveler. He entertained and traveled in England, Switzerland, Montreal, Canada, Germany, Japan and Carribean Islands. Roderick enjoyed and was an avid “train buff.” Every Christmas he would set up his train set around the tree. He continuously bought train accessories that were fantastic and realistic. His best friends were Elton Lynch, Donnie Green, Tim Watts, Darnell Carter, Dennis Edwards (deceased), Al Goodman (deceased) and Fred Brown. Roderick was proud of being a part of the Bob Turk commercial that aired in the early 1980's “Talking about Bob Turk.” He starred in the movie, “I Kissed a Girl” where he played a gangster. He also made a cameo appearance on the Emmy Award winning soap opera, the Young & the Restless and the Love Boat. He was a Superstar in the eyes of his family and friends. Roderick told his mother prior to his death that he had made peace with God, that he had traveled the world, confessed his sins and asked for forgiveness and if he had hurt somebody along the way he asked for forgiveness and had no regrets. Roderick was a proud member of William F. Taylor Lodge #57, and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. As he embarks on his heavenly journey, he leaves to cherish and celebrate his legacy his dear and loving mother Corietha, brothers Courtney and Marshall, three children Roderick H. Ferebee, Jr. (Roddy), Keyanta Ferebee and Harland Raymond Ferenee. Grandchildren Charquasia, Deyne and Ahmariona Ferebee and Pharell Richardson. Grandchildren, Kamryn Latimer, Kenya Latimer, DeQuan Ferebee, Sakara Ferebee and Aidan English and one great-grandchild Aria Smith, and his longtime friend Sharon Cuffie and a host of relatives and well-loved friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Tributes

Roderick H. Ferebee Sr.

February 4, 1955 - April 30, 2018