Rodney Everette Harper

Rodney Everette Harper, son of the late Samuel Harper and Beatrice Harper Marshall, was born on July 2, 1950. He departed this life on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, after a brief illness.Rodney received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Dunbar High School In 1967 He went on to attend Coppin State College on a basketball scholarship.In 1967 Rodney worked as a Foreman Inspector at Bethlehem Steel. He served in the United States Air Force from 1978 until 1975, receiving an honorable discharge. Later in 1977, he became a Correctional Officer with the Maryland State Department of Corrections. Rodney’s last position was held at the Chick Webb Recreation Center, as a lifeguard and a swimming instructor until he became ill.Rodney was an avid swimmer. He was also a very good basketball, tennis and chess player. He was a kind, lovable, devoted, and sociable person, who always had an encouraging word for all whom he encountered. Rodney loved to talk. His brother-in-law always teased him stating, “You should have been a politician.Rodney was nicknamed “Hot Rod” by his father, due to his stylish attire. The name stuck with him, and many family and friends continued to address him as such. Rodney had one of the most gentle, kind, and giving souls that anyone could ever have, a trait that he received from his mother. Among his siblings, Rodney was known as “Mama’s Boy”. There was a special bond of love and respect between Rodney and “Mother”, as she was affectionately called by him.He accepted Christ into his life early as a child and rededicated himself to the Lord in January 1996. He was a loyal and dedicated member of the Saint Paul Baptist Church and was regular attendee at the 8:00am Sunday worship service, until his illness prevented him from attending.He was a loving and affectionate father who absolutely doted on his children. He often engaged them in intellectually stimulating conversations on a wide spectrum of subjects. He was an n excellent provider, meeting all of his children’s needs and many of their wants.Rodney leaves to mourn his transition into eternity; his six children, Roderica “Angel” Harper of Tucson, Arizona, Rodgina “Ronnie” {Patrick) Hopkins, Arnell (Elaine) Wilson, Ali {Cynthia) Harper, Khadija “Star” Harper-Teal, and Amaya Harper; his fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his siblings, Clarence “Lonnie” (Diretha) Harper, Patricia Harper and Charlene (Lonnie) Harper-Fisher; his two uncles, Franklin (Frances) Green of Richmond, Virginia, and Frank (Linda) Harper, of Baltimore; his three aunts, Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Bryant of Hartford, Connecticut and Sadie Wright of Mount Rainer, Maryland and a host of nieces,nephews,other relatives, friends and associates.

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Rodney Everette Harper

July 2, 1950 - June 10, 2009