Roderick C. Whitfield
SUFFOLK—Roderick Costello Whitfield, 54, died Nov. 11, 2009, at Sentara Obici Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Whitfield was born on Dec. 19, 1954, in Nansemond County to the late Robert White Whitfield and Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield.
He attended Suffolk Public Schools and graduated from Forest Glen High School in 1973.
Survivors include his devoted mother, Emma Marie Whitfield of Suffolk; three brothers, Aubrey Whitfield (Diane) of Portsmouth, Michael Whitfield (Loray) and Phillip Whitfield of Suffolk; three sisters Robin W. Murphy (Clarence) of Franklin, Donna Whitfield (Arthur “Junnie”) and Karen Whitfield of Suffolk; a niece, Patrice Whitfield of Virginia Beach; and two nephews Brandon Whitfield of Upper Marlboro, Md. and Jordan Murphy of Franklin; two uncles, Clifton Copeland (Selena) and Lorenzo Copeland (Evelyn) of Suffolk; and three aunts Mildred W. Copeland of Chicago, Ill., Mary C. Whitfield and Thelma Copeland of Suffolk; and a host of cousins and friends that he loved dearly. He also leaves to cherish his memory a devoted friend and confidant, Yvette Knight and her son, Kenneth Harden Jr. and granddaughter Za’riana Goodman.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at noon Saturday at Zion Christian Church by Dr. J J. Ferguson and the Rev. Ben Fitzgearld.
Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at 176 Rochdale Lane, Suffolk. The body will be taken to the church at 10:30 a.m.
Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.