Rodell Evon Cylear

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge. The true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.”

If you asked a hundred people who Rodell Evon Cylear was, they’d all give you a different answer. Some would say a wonderful and loving husband, an awesome and devoted father, a proud and doting grandfather, an attentive and dutiful son, a kind and considerate brother, a first-rate and second-to-none uncle, a faithful and true friend, a fun-loving, jolly, and good-hearted person, and a superhero.  The list would go on endlessly.  Although, each person would use a different adjective to describe him, there is one common thread, he was a great example of a person who “lived”, “loved”, and was “loved” by many.

A Time of Grooming

July 29, 1956, Reed Cylear and Annie Jane Gordon Cylear were blessed with a handsome son, Rodell Evon Cylear.  His parents were exuberant at his birth and were overjoyed for everyone to see their “Little Pumpkin”.  The name Rodell is of French origin and means “faithful ruler”.   Evon means a pretty evergreen tree that always resurrects and renews. As the meaning of his name indicates, Rodell grew and flourished thanks to the strong roots at home and the nourishment that unconditional love provides. As a child and a teenager, he attended the Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Stephen N. Frazier.  

Rodell attended the public schools of Hampton County School District One and graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1974.  He, along with two of his siblings and two others, was the first black students to integrate the all-white Hampton Elementary School. Upon graduating from high school, Rodell enrolled at Newberry College and later transferred to University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1980. While in college, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1982 and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, and later was stationed at Fort Riley in Junction City, Kansas.

A Time of Blossoming

Rodell married the “Love of His Life”, Jeanice Brantley. Their marriage is a fairy tale of sorts. They had mutual family members, so they met early in life as teenagers, but they went their separate ways.  Both Rodell and Jeanice’s mothers wanted what they considered best for their children so, they joined forces and began to pray that God would unite Rodell and Jeanice in marriage.   It is good to have praying parents! Some years after their initial meeting, Rodell and Jeanice resumed their friendship and this friendship blossomed into a lasting relationship.  On January 1, 1983, they were joined in holy matrimony. Their marriage was one of love, admiration, trust, and mutual respect.  Jeanice joined her husband in Killeen, Texas and it was there that their family began to expand.  Rodell was so proud when his twin, son Reed Rodell Cylear, was born.  He was equally proud and excited at the birth of his two daughters, Dominique Nicole and Whitney Danielle. Although, the birth of his children made him happy, there was nothing better to him than having grandchildren.  Pa-Pa loved them and let them have free access to any and everything.  Rodell loved his family and spared no expense in trying to make sure they were happy and well-provided for.  He took them on yearly vacations and would be so happy seeing that they were enjoying themselves.  He loved inviting others to accompany him and his family on these trips and did everything he could to ensure that everyone was comfortable, happy, and safe. Rodell was an avid sports fan and a great encourager of the youth, supporting them at sports events and educationally. Rodell never forgot his religious upbringing and had strong family and religious values.  After marrying his wife, he began attending St. John Holy Church in Nixville, SC.  He attended church conventions and other religious gatherings with his wife and continued attending St. John until his demise.

A Time of Validating

Rodell had a strong work ethic and believed that no one could stop you from accomplishing your goal, but yourself.  He began working at a young age to become the man he wanted to be, a provider for himself and his future family. So, as a teenager, he worked at BC Moore’s Department Store and Westinghouse.  While in college, he worked at various restaurants.  Upon graduation from college, he came back to his hometown of Hampton and began working at Westinghouse again until he enlisted in the US Army.  In 1986, when he was honorably discharged from the US Army, he returned to Hampton and went to work at Wackenhut Security Services at the Savannah River Site Plant in Beech Island, SC.  After one year with Wackenhut, he became employed with Savannah River Site as a Chemical Nuclear Reactor Operator and worked there for over thirty years before retiring in July of 2020.  While employed with Savannah River Plant, he earned several meritorious awards.

A Time for Conclusion

Rodell became gravely ill with COVID in December 2020.  However, God spared his life and he was always grateful to God for additional time with his family. In the early hours of the morning on December 17, 2022, he departed from time and went on to eternity. He leaves  to cherish his memories and await the coming of Christ: his loving and devoted wife, Jeanice Brantley Cylear of Hampton, SC; son, Reed Rodell Cylear of Richmond, Va; daughters, Dominique (Fabricio) Cruz, Whitney (Dyshun) Vasquez of Simpsonville and Boiling Spring, SC, respectively; his grandchildren, Natalya Alexia Cylear, Johan Santo-Reed Vasquez, Dominic Cylear Cruz, and Romello Creed Vasquez; his mother, Annie Jane Cylear of Hampton, SC; his sisters, Brenda C. Jamison of Hampton, SC and Bridgette (Jerry) Goodwin of Charlotte, NC; his brothers, Craig (Babette) Cylear and Carl Cylear of Hampton County; his sisters in-laws, Vicki (David) Halls, Ruth B. Thomas, Patricia (Joe) Moore, Jacqueline (Avery) Early, Gail Jefferson, and Margaret Brantley all of Hampton County, SC; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Belinda) Brantley of Pennsylvania, Cornel Brantley of Hampton County; his pseudo daughters (nieces), Chanta and Andretta Hays; his nieces, Tennille Moore, Innesha Jamison, Tiffany (Jason) Way, Blaine and Courtney Cylear; nephews, Jamaal Jamison, Shane Brantley, and a host of nephews and nieces from his wife’s family; pseudo grandchildren, McKenzie, Camira, Mason and Myles; his aunts, Alice (Joe) Kelly, Myrtis Johnson, Loretta Busby; his uncles, Herbert Gordon, James Brantley, and several aunts and uncles from his wife’s side; a host of cousins, friends, and former coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reed Cylear; grandfather, Elone Cylear; father and mother-in-law, Sidney and Elder Lizzie Brantley; special brothers-in-law, Willie Brantley and Larry Jamison; a special niece, Pamela Brantley Love; his pseudo daughter, Drea Ruth, and many other family members. 

Due to the current state of (COVID-19) pandemic and in order to promote social distancing, anyone entering the funeral home for viewing; as well as attending all graveside or funeral service, either inside or outside, must wear a mask. We will also limit the number of persons allowed to enter the funeral home or any other facility at any given period during the viewing process.  We ask that you leave the premise upon exiting the building. The family is most appreciative to each of you for all acts of kindness shown to them during this difficult time in their lives.

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