Mr. Roderick Isaiah Nelson

Mr. Roderick Nelson, 94 of St. Pauls, NC peacefully passed on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.  Graveside service will be Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Goodman Cemetery, Grover Rd. Tar Heel, NC.  Viewing: Monday 2:00 - 7:30 PM in the Funeral Home Chapel.

Peacefully with outstretched hands, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his love ones, Roderick Isaiah Nelson entered into eternal life.  Roderick was born to the late Uriah Nelson and Estella Brown Nelson in the District of Arcadia in the Parish of St. Thomas on Caribbean Island Nation of Jamaica, with his four older siblings.  Roderick often lovingly spoke about his life as a child in Jamaica and growing up in the "Bush".  He deeply loved his homeland and frequently shared his fond memories growing up, eating from the fruit trees, spending time there with family and friends.  When talking about his homeland, it was so visual and colorful, you felt like you had been to Jamaica or you would want to visit.  With a desire to financially further himself and his family Roderick settled in London, England where he held stable employment in many occupations.  He lived there for many years, ultimately becoming a citizen of England.  Seeking more opportunity for himself and his family, Roderick traveled to the United States on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), making Brooklyn, New York his home.  Here he immediately began seeking those great opportunities that he had heard that America had to offer.

Roderick obtained employment with Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York  where he worked as a Mechanical Engineer until his retirement.  Roderick was also active in various organizations andd was eager to help others.  Therefore, he became the Labor Council representative for the 1199 Union, where he was a strong force to be reckoned with.

After retiring, Roderick enjoyed time with his family.  He took that time to really enjoy his grandchildren he raised in their home, travel with his loving wife, craft many wood bookcases and entertainment units.  One of his favorite past times was cooking.  His specialties were Caribbean dishes of curry goat, ackee and cod fish, steamed dumplings, stewed Red Snapper and many more.  He had a great love for the music of his native land.  You could almost always find Roderick relaxing to Reggae  music, especially Bob Marley.  Roderick also spent relaxing time playing solitaire.  Roderick was a natural craftsman, could fix anything and loved to garden.  He was extremely proud of his watermelon patch, shared his harvest with family.  A quote from one of the grandchildren was "Papa can fix anything".  Once he relocated to North Carolina, he discovered his love for gardening and growing and tending to his fruit trees.  Days before his demise he was still making repairs in the home.

As Roderick grew in his spiritual life, he felt that he needed and wanted to learn more about God and to be closer to him.  He began searching and found Pleasant View. A word of wisdom from Roderick was "I didn't come to count cows, but to drink milk" (This means...I mind my own business).

Preceding Roderick in death are two sons, Ronald and Malcolm; one daughter, Samantha; his parents, Uriah Nelson and Estella Brown Nelson; one brother, Jezreel; two sisters, Theresa and Mercella; one granddaughter, Selena; and two twin great grandsons, Alex and Sam.

Precious memories of love , laughter, and life will forever be with his wife, Ruthie King Nelson of 20 plus years.  Surviving him are ; two daughters, Marjorie and Pauline Nelson of Toronto, Canada; eight grandchildren, Shadiyah, Qaasim, Maimoona, Zainab, Ruqayyah,Khadijay and Ibiahim; thirteen  great-grandchildren including Isaiah Roberts who lovingly shares his middle name; two nieces, Jacqueline Hunter, Kingston, Jamaica and Shirley of Toronto, Canada; two cousins, Austin Swaby of Orando, Florida and Bill Swaby of Hartford, Connecticut.

Roderick accepted, loved and raised Ruthie's children as his own.  Surviving him in death is one son, Christopher Brown (Sharon) of Brooklyn, New York; one daughter, Pamela Brown of Long Island, New York; ten grandchildren (five of which Papa raised, loved and mentored) Craig McCoy of Long Island, New York, Alexandra Oliver of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Veronika King of St. Pauls, North Carolina, Courtney Stuldivant of Long Island, New York and Matthew Jones of St. Pauls, North Carolina; one god-daughter, Fallon Callender of Fayetteville, North Carolina; one brother-in-law, LeRoy King of Lansing Michigan; two sister-in-law, Lillian K. Stewart of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania and Lena P. King of Asheboro, North Carolina; and a host of family, friends near and dear to his heart.

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