Jerome "Jerry" Taylor Rodwell

ROCKY MOUNT – Jerome “Jerry” Taylor Rodwell, age 97, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025.  Born in Warren County, NC on October 23, 1927, he was the ninth of ten children of the late Hugh Edgar Rodwell, Sr. and Mamie Shearin Rodwell.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Frances Blalock Rodwell; his sisters, Hazel R. Jones, Janet R. Burt, Edith R. Finch; and his brothers, Joseph J. Rodwell, Hugh Edgar Rodwell, Jr., William B. Rodwell, Wallace S. Rodwell who was killed in WWII, Thomas P. Rodwell, and Elmer Coleman Rodwell, Sr.

After graduating from Macon High School, Mr. Rodwell attended business college in Raleigh and worked for Carolina Power and Light prior to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  After his honorable discharge, he attended Wake Forest University, graduating in 1951.  Mr. Rodwell had a lifelong career with the North Carolina Department of Revenue, serving for many years as the supervisor of the Rocky Mount Region.  Always active in his community, he was a dedicated member of the West Mount Ruritan Club for over 50 years, enjoyed membership in Kiwanis in retirement as well as volunteering with Meals-On-Wheels.  He was an active member of Englewood United Methodist Church, holding various positions of leadership and service in his younger years.   A quiet and reserved man, Mr. Rodwell was humble, kind, wise, and generous.  He was a faithful and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He maintained an extraordinary mental sharpness and quick wit until the end.

Mr. Rodwell is survived by his son, Stuart Rodwell and wife, Janet, of Raleigh; his daughter, Amy Bates and husband, Matt, of Richmond, VA; his grandchildren, Kathryn Hickman and husband, Zach, of Nashville, TN, Rachel Bates and husband, Andrew Deel, of Clarksville, TN, and Justin Bates of Charlottesville, VA; his two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Archie Deel and a third on the way.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Mr. Rodwell’s life will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Englewood United Methodist Church, 300 S. Circle Drive, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.  Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.  A visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Englewood United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Rodwell’s memory to Englewood United Methodist Church, PO Box 7128, Rocky Mount, NC  27804 or the SECU Hospice House of UNC, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.