Rodney Keith Whitely, Sr.
October 6, 1943 – January 20, 2023
Rodney K. Whitely, Sr. , “Pappy”, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, went to his eternal home with Jesus on January 20, 2023.
Rodney was a long time member of First Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Born in Saltville, Virginia on October 6, 1943 to late Earl Whitely and Mabel Thompson Whitely. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Hardesty Whitely, his brothers Eddie, Dudley and Bill Whitely and his great grand-babies Paisley and Owen Achterberg.
Next to Jesus, his greatest love was for his family. He worked hard to take the best care of them and make sure they had everything they wanted in life. He worked most of his early years as a Fire Sprinkler Fitter and Superintendent. He started his own business in 1986 with his family, Whitely Fire Protection. He had a thriving and successful business for 18 years until his health caused him to retire. He has many life long friends in the sprinkler trade and was a generous and fair business owner. Many of his employees become family.
Rodney is survived by his three children, Rodney K. Whitely, Jr. (Dorothy), Karen Dupree (David), Kathy Allan (Dan). He is survived by sisters who adored him Sue Carney, Karleen Davidson (Danny), and Nyla Chapman and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Pappy loved his grandchildren and always had a way to make them smile. Laurren Hall,
Rodney Whitely, III (Hollie), Allison Hall (Ben), Jennifer Keyton (Zac), Christopher Dupree, Ryan Dupree, Maya Dupree, Emily Achterberg (Joe), Hannah, Nicholas and Michael Shooks. Great grandchildren-Rodney Whitely IV, Aria Whitely, Sadie Hall and Travis Hall, Hudson and Harper Achterberg, Stella Elder, Haylie Jeffries (Carson), Cassidie Hall Anthony Walk. Great, great grand child Mason Jeffries. He also had four well loved grand-neighbors, Bianka, Sebastian, Valencia and Roman Magana.
Rodney was best known as Pappy to many and loved gospel, bluegrass, and country music. He loved playing and singing music throughout his life. He loved his family and adopted family which was everyone he met. He was the life of the party always ready with a joke or a smile. He loved Jesus and let everyone know about it.
Visitation
Thursday, January 26, 2023
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Services
- Funeral Service
Friday, January 27, 2023
11:00 AM
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
22 Jan 2023
10:18am
My prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. He will be missed,love to hear his jokes.
City
Severn
State
MD
22 Jan 2023
10:29am
My heart goes out to your family on the loss of your Pappy. Ron was such a sweet, fun and caring person. Talented with music and a joy to be with. I know he is loving singing with Jesus and with Pat. Love you all. Praying for comfort.
City
Huntingtown
State
MD
22 Jan 2023
11:11am
Love and prayers so sorry for your loss 🙏 always loved his music that time at Hungry s Mother’s State Park Family Reunion.
City
Christiansburg
State
Va
22 Jan 2023
12:45pm
I’m so sorry for your loss, I had the pleasure of meeting Pappy and enjoyed his fun living personality. Hold on to your beautiful memories, My thoughts and prayers are with you all, 🙏🏻🙏🏻
City
Leonardtown
State
Md
22 Jan 2023
2:57pm
I am so very sorry to learn of Ron’s (we always called him Ron) loss. I always thought there would be more time for hand and foot canasta. We had so many fun times playing cards with friends. He was always one to make you smile and laughter abounded when we all got together. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones. He was definite a super star. He will be very much missed by all. Michele Duryea.
City
Waldorf
State
MD
22 Jan 2023
6:19pm
Uncle Rodney will definitely missed. Wish we could be there. Love y’all and prayers!!
City
Vansant
State
Va
22 Jan 2023
7:27pm
Rest in Peace – to one of the most inspirational, down to earth men who sets the bar high as an example to all of what it means to be a good human being… thank you for being you.
Peter W
City
Edgewater
State
MD
23 Jan 2023
12:31pm
Sharing in your sadness as you remember your Dad and Pappy. He loved his family and was a friend to many. Take comfort in knowing he is no longer battling health challenges and pain. I have wonderful memories of him as each of you have. His amazing personality will be missed. My deepest sympathy to each of you. Take care.
City
Lothian
State
Maryland
26 Jan 2023
10:14am
Ron was a walking and talking representative of Jesus. The joy of life he exhibited always brought a smile to my face. I thank God for people like Ron, who I’m confident is with Jesus and Pat singing praises. He’ll definitely be missed by all he left behind but his death is a reminder that we should all call God our Daddy. Love to the entire Whitely family!
City
Lothian
State
MD
Sort Comments
My prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. He will be missed,love to hear his jokes.
My heart goes out to your family on the loss of your Pappy. Ron was such a sweet, fun and caring person. Talented with music and a joy to be with. I know he is loving singing with Jesus and with Pat. Love you all. Praying for comfort.
Love and prayers so sorry for your loss 🙏 always loved his music that time at Hungry s Mother’s State Park Family Reunion.
I’m so sorry for your loss, I had the pleasure of meeting Pappy and enjoyed his fun living personality. Hold on to your beautiful memories, My thoughts and prayers are with you all, 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so very sorry to learn of Ron’s (we always called him Ron) loss. I always thought there would be more time for hand and foot canasta. We had so many fun times playing cards with friends. He was always one to make you smile and laughter abounded when we all got together. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones. He was definite a super star. He will be very much missed by all. Michele Duryea.
Uncle Rodney will definitely missed. Wish we could be there. Love y’all and prayers!!
Rest in Peace – to one of the most inspirational, down to earth men who sets the bar high as an example to all of what it means to be a good human being… thank you for being you.
Peter W
Sharing in your sadness as you remember your Dad and Pappy. He loved his family and was a friend to many. Take comfort in knowing he is no longer battling health challenges and pain. I have wonderful memories of him as each of you have. His amazing personality will be missed. My deepest sympathy to each of you. Take care.
Ron was a walking and talking representative of Jesus. The joy of life he exhibited always brought a smile to my face. I thank God for people like Ron, who I’m confident is with Jesus and Pat singing praises. He’ll definitely be missed by all he left behind but his death is a reminder that we should all call God our Daddy. Love to the entire Whitely family!