Herbert Martin Rodell

Herbert Martin Rodell, age 96, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family. He was born on January 11, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Herbert and Amelia Rodell.

After serving in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, Herb began a more than 30-year career in sales at Eastman Kodak, retiring in October 1986 as a Regional Sales Manager.

Herb walked with and served the Lord his entire life, boldly proclaiming and sharing his faith with everyone he met. In addition to actively supporting the ministries of churches in every community in which he lived, he volunteered for Billy Graham Crusades beginning in 1957 and Passion Conferences focused on spreading the Gospel to 18-25 year 25-year-olds starting in 1997. In addition, he was a founding elder of Lowcountry Community Church in Bluffton, SC, which, over twenty-five years later, continues to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, June Belfry Rodell (1929 - 2005), with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage. After June’s death, God graciously brought Lelia into his life; she lovingly walked beside Herb in his later years.

Herb was also preceded in death by infant twin daughters (1960) and his grandson Luke Martin Stilwell (1999 - 2022).

Herb is survived by his wife of 16 years, Lelia Davenport; his children Jon (April) Rodell of Atlanta, Georgia; Mark (Toni) Rodell of Birmingham, Alabama; Paul (Janet) Rodell of Louisville, Kentucky and Martha (Kevin) Stilwell of Raleigh, NC; fourteen grandchildren Liz (Dom), Matt, Whitney (Mike), Lauren (Jared), Wil (Holly), Maddie (Mike), Haley, Ben, Hannah, Jonah, Jonson, Sadie (Colby), Pierce, and Hughes; and eight great grandchildren Brooklyn, Amelia, Sophie, Trey, Grady, Ty, Elle, and Malachi. He is also survived by his brother, Clint Rodell of Montclair, NJ, and his uncle, Martin Raber of Elon, NC, along with a host of extended family and dear friends.

A celebration of Herb’s life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11 am at the Summit Church - Blue Ridge Campus, 3249 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Herb’s memory are encouraged to consider a donation to Passion Conferences, LLC, PO Box 13368, Atlanta, Georgia, 30324.