Rodney Dillamar, who passed away Monday, Nov. 11, at the age of 64, will always be remembered by his wife, Shelia White-Dillamar, as a caring man.

“Rodney was a loving, giving person. He had a big heart. He believed in taking care of his community. And he always had his motto of ‘unity in the community’,” she said. “He was high on the youth and making sure that they survived and wanted to always try to give them everything to ensure that they survived.”

White-Dillamar said her husband became a positive influence on many local children, and both of them often helped those in need.

“A lot of them didn’t have fathers and he would be their father,” she said. “He would talk to them, you know, mentor them, telling them to stay out of trouble and everything. If they had any problems, if they didn’t have a place to sleep, we would make sure they had a place to sleep. If they didn’t have anything to eat, we would make sure that they had something to eat. And that was just the kind of person that he was.”

Dillamar was active in the community, sponsoring many youth sports teams. He and his wife ran a convenience store called the South Street Shoppette for more than 30 years. White-Dillamar said her husband bought the store in order to be connected to the community.

The couple was together for 43 years and married for 34. White-Dillamar said her husband was a Christian first and foremost and loved his family.

“I would like him to be remembered for everything he did in the community,” she said. “I would like him to be remembered as a giving person and just someone that always wanted to give to everybody else. Even when he wasn’t recognized, even if he didn’t get the recognition, he still wanted to take care of everybody else. He was a supporter. He was just a servant of the Lord. And he was doing everything that the Lord put on his heart to do, and that was to make sure that those kids in that community were taken care of.”

Rodney Emmanuel Dillamar was born on February 6, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

A graduate of Taft High School in California, Rodney began his educational pursuit, earning an associate degree from the University of Southern California and a baccalaureate degree from Alcorn State University. 

His commitment to learning and growth was evident throughout his life and was reflected in the passion he brought to his career.

According to funeral arrangement information, Rodney leaves behind his  wife of 34, who stood by his side through every endeavor and shared the joys and challenges of life, nurturing a bond that will endure; their son, Sherrod Dillamar, who carries forth his father’s spirit, embodying the love and values Rodney instilled. Rodney’s legacy also lives on through his devoted mother, Mrs. Mildred Copeland, of Palmdale, California. He is survived by his caring sisters, Wanda Calhoun, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Patricia Dillamar of Palmdale, as well as his brother, Joe Nathan Dillamar Jr., currently residing in Germany. Rodney cherished his special friends, Michael Henyard, Michael Jackson, Leon Neal, J.J. Jackson, and held close the hearts of countless nieces and nephews who were all dear to him.

Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nathan Dillamar and stepfather, George Copeland. He was also greeted by his two sisters, Joann Justice and Sandra Dillamar, along with his brother, Dwayne Dillamar, in eternal rest.

His visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 22, from 1 until 6 p.m. at C. J. Williams Mortuary Center, 1625 Monroe St. in Vicksburg. The Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, Nov. 24, at Greater Grove Street M. B. Church, from 2 until 3:30 p.m.