On November 1, 2019 in the early morning, St. Gabriel blew his mighty horn calling Renetta Mary Fenderson Ceasar home from Bridgepoint Hospital in N.E., Washington D.C. She was escorted to the Gates of Heaven by her predeceased parents, Gloria E. and George W. Fenderson.
Renetta is survived by Harvey Ceasar, Jr. (son) and Adriane C. Whipple (daughter) and husband Wayne Whipple; grandchildren: Angel Richardson, Demetrius and Corey Whipple; great grandchildren: Jaide, Lilah and Christopher .Jr; ex-husband Harvey Ceasar, Sr; brother Kenneth Fenderson; and host of family and close friends.
Renetta was born on July 16, 1945 at Gallinger Hospital in Washington D.C., was the second child of Gloria and George Fenderson; and was a graduate of Burdick High School, in NW, Washington, DC.
Renetta was named after her grandmother Cootsie and assumed the nickname “Nee Nee” or “Nee”. As recalled by her cousin Sylvester Chase (Ves), “when being babysat by Grandma Cootsie, she was always grabbing items off the coffee table and anything she could reach and start banging. It got to the point that Grandma Cootsie referred to her as Meddlesome Mattie”.
This was only the beginning of a journey of life’s adventure and discovery for Renetta. In 1961, while at a house party, she caught the eye of a young man named Harvey Ceasar. After winning her affection, they were married on September 21, 1963 at the Sign of The Sacred Heart Church in NW, Washington DC. Their union produced son Harvey and daughter Adriane.
Upon graduating from Burdick HS, Renetta applied to the Post Office and was hired as a clerk. Like her parents, that was not enough. Her work ethic, lust for life and a goal motivated Renetta. After a several years at the Post Office, Renetta applied to the Department of Interior and was hired as a clerk; her award-winning personality, experience and diploma in hand she once again commanded the job.
Life with its many avenues of successes and failures, Renetta and Harvey sought a better way toward success for their family. Renetta always moving forward and upward, moved from the Department of Interior to the Department of Commerce advancing from an entry level clerk to Budget Analysist, by taking advantage of the educational programs offered.
As active political advocates in the city of Washington, D.C., George and Gloria knew the value of education, experience, and fighting a good fight. Renetta, being no less, during her tenure at the Department of Commerce, took on the Federal Government to be recognized for her work ethic, success rate and advancement in her profession, which was being denied. After several years of unyielding fighting, Renetta won the good fight; however, as with most pioneers, she was not properly recognized for her diligence, strength and conviction.
During her life, Renetta has shown incredible strength by overcoming the fear of heights after flying to Colorado for work and, as recalled by Harvey, Sr., during a cruise to the Bahamas she mustered the strength to go to the railing of the cruise ship to look out at the ocean.
In 2004, Renetta starts down another path on her journey in life, retirement at which time she became politically active, from helping her father with the District 4 campaign for the latest candidate, to being an election center volunteer manning the poles for various elections in Prince George’s County. In turn, she loved to go out, line dancing, casino hopping (with her brother and friends), as well as attempting to figure out the pick 3 or 4 daily lottery number.
Renetta understood how to have fun after working hard. As a family, we spent many a road trip going to every amusement park in the surrounding area, attending family reunions, her parent’s annual birthday parties, holiday celebrations and summer cookouts.
Throughout Renetta’s life, her mission was to educate, expose herself, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to new experiences, unconditional love; instruct, sympathize, empathize and enjoy each and every person she encountered. Understand no one is perfect, she could be stubborn, opinionated and adamant that her voice/opinion be heard, however, it was always communicated with love.
Renetta will surely be missed by all those who have been privileged enough to know her. Her children, with whom she spoke with daily; her family and friends with whom she talked politics with for hours; and at every family function, graduation, wedding etc. that is yet to come, her spirit will forever live on.
A tribute from her brother Kenneth:
I will always miss you, Sis.
We always had a good time when we spent time together, times I will always remember and cherish.
You’ve always been a fun loving and family oriented little Sis.
We created a lot of memories that I will always hold dear.
I will miss our many trips to Dover at all hours of the night, win or lose.
Thank you for being there for me and all of your support doing difficult times, as well as happy times.
I know Mom and Dad are welcoming you with open arms; however, you will be missed here by many.
Thank you for the memories.
Your Big Brother,
Kenny.
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