Rodney I Charles

RODNEY I. CHARLES was born on June 30, 1970, to Ulrick M. Charles and Roberta Lee Charles in Brooklyn, New York. Rodney departed this life on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.

Rodney was raised in Piscataway, NJ. After high school, he went on to culinary school at the Job Corps in Edison, NJ, and then pursued his career in the Culinary Arts. Rodney loved to cook, try new restaurants, travel, watch a good movie, spend time with his friends watching his favorite football team, “the Pittsburgh Steelers,” and enjoy his cigars.

Rodney’s favorite saying was, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time”

Rodney was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Elizabeth (YaYa) Clemons and Mildred Napoleon; mother, Roberta Lee Charles; father, Ulrick Charles; and nephew, Mark (Butch) Spivey.

Rodney leaves to cherish his memories: his children, Nydiah Charles and Devonte Charles; grandchildren, Alayna Duncan, Savannah Duncan, and Akeem Jihad; sister, Carol Charles Jackson (Lavon); uncles, Randolph Napoleon, Ricardo Napoleon, Neville Napoleon, and George Napoleon; aunts, Pearl Spivey (Roosevelt), Josephine (Baby Girl) Hinkson, Ursula Brewster (John), Mary Napoleon, and Antonette Napoleon; nieces, LaToya Crittenden and Elizabeth Charles; nephew, Damari Jackson; great-nephew, Terrell Gladden; cousins, Nicole Spivey, Daija Belemy (Chris) Damon Spivey (Erica), Sharon Brewster, and Pam Brewster; extended family, Anna Moore, James Moore, and the Johnson family; and a host of other family and friends.