Deborah Rodney

Deborah Ann Rodney also known as Mrs. Rodney of Orange Park, Jacksonville passed peacefully on Friday October 13, 2017 at Haven Hospice, Jacksonville, Florida. She leaves to mourn her loving husband Mr. Ulric Michael Rodney, three children Shemrick Rodney and his wife Yoneta Rodney, Dr. Sherriann Rodney and Cady Rodney and two grandchildren, Nailah and Amelia Rodney.

She had many siblings named Maureen Freso, Michael Griffith, Cordelia Bookey, Irving Griffith, Joy Hector, Sharon and her Husband Bernard Cromarty . She was the loving aunt of Francine and Kelly and Kareena Cromarty, Jamena, Arriel and Janella Hector, Wyatt, Wayne, Caswell and Alana Griffith, Michael, Marlon and Michelle Griffith.

Deborah was a devoted woman of God. She gained strength to fulfil her role as mother, grandmother and teacher to all who crossed her path.

She met the love of her life at a very early age whom she married in 1983 in their hometown Georgetown Guyana, South America.

She had a rewarding career in teaching after graduating from Tutorial High School, Georgetown Guyana and pursing an education in childhood development at the Guyana’s Teachers Training College. She also completed a certificate in Sciences at the University of Guyana. In later years she completed a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies. Her early career in teaching began in her hometown before migrating to the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda where she retired after 30 years of teaching.

Her exemplary performance and work ethic over the years were well noted by her peers and superiors alike. The care she gave her students was outstanding and she made many lifelong friendships with the children and their families. Through her career, she developed a wide network of friends and family over the years.

She was very vocal and opinionated but a very humble woman who was protective of her children and actively ensured they were doing what was right. Her perseverance and believe that every generation should empower the next generation is a powerful lesson for us, and I believe it is her legacy.

Loving parents are special people. It takes patience, perseverance, dedication and a love for the development and empowerment of your children. This is a wonderful legacy and an example to follow. Keep focused on what is truly important, not only when your life is easy, but when it is difficult too.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at the Orange Park Medical Center and Haven Hospice. A very special thank you is being extended to Dr. Patricia Gilford.

The funeral of Deborah Rodney will take place in St. John's, Antigua, WI.