Lynnette V. Rodriguez

Lynnette Valerie Rodriguez left this world for heaven unexpectedly on Monday September 4. Lynnette was born on June 1, 1956 in New York, New York and was raised in the Bronx, New York. She graduated from Adlai E Stevenson High School in the Bronx in 1974. She briefly attended community college and stenography school before taking a job as a secretary at Citibank in Manhattan. She would tell you “when you look at the skyline of New York, Citibank is the building with the slanted roof.” Through mentorship and impeccable work ethic, Lynnette worked her way into a position as a financial analyst and ultimately became Assistant Vice President of Finance.

Lynnette met her husband of 31 years, Jose, shortly before moving to Evans, GA, where she would spend the rest of her life. She then gave birth to two beautiful children who were the light of her life: Jacquelynne Christina and John Douglas. Lynn, as she was affectionately known by Southerners, stayed at home to raise her children. The death of a school crossing guard at Evans Elementary School left a vacant position that went unfilled for quite some time. Lynn, whose children were school aged by that time, decided to take the position. During this time, Lynn became endeared by students, Evans Elementary faculty/staff, and passersby in their cars. She remained the beloved school crossing guard for nearly 20 years. She passed the job down to her husband when she was no longer physically able to do the job.

As her children grew older, Lynn returned to school where she completed an Associate’s Degree at Georgia Military College. A diagnosis of breast cancer along with progressing rheumatoid arthritis prevented her pursuing a degree as a nurse. However, Georgia Military College hired her as a Lab Manager. She excelled in this job as she was deeply passionate about science and extremely meticulous. She was beloved by faculty, staff and students at GMC. She went above and beyond in her position as lab manager: heading the gardening club, assisting the knitting club, as well as co-planning and attending the marine biology study abroad in San Salvador, Bahamas.

Lynn’s passion for science informed many of her hobbies. She was an avid gardener and was happy to share her gardening tips with others. She loved animals, especially her three kitties. She enjoyed knitting up until her death, even as the rheumatoid arthritis limited her fine motor skills. She loved to swim and snorkel. She could name every plant and animal on Earth. She was an amazing photographer and left us with thousands of photos to cherish. Lynn gave her life up to Christ at a young age. She was a proud member of Second Providence Baptist Church in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Above all, she loved people. She did not know a stranger. She was the person everyone went to for advice. She would bluntly tell you exactly what she thought, but it was always wrapped in a package of love. She loved showering others in gifts. She will be remembered for her genuine, kind, and sweet spirit.

Toward the final years of her life, rheumatoid arthritis took so many of the things Lynn loved away. However, it never took her joy. It never took her ingenuity and resilience. It never took away her love for life. Through her flares, she traveled domestically and internationally. Her two final life’s joys were celebrating her daughter’s wedding in San Juan, Puerto Rico and her son’s 30th birthday on a cruise to the Bahamas.

Welcoming Lynnette into heaven are her parents, Vincent & Jacquelynne Hodge, in-laws Joseph & Nilda Rodriguez, grandparents Edna & John Kinney & Maude Roach, brother Douglas Freeman, brother-in-law John Rodriguez, brother-in-law William, nephew Wayne, and sister in Christ Stacey Johnson. Keeping her spirit alive are her husband, Jose, children, Jackie (Ryan) & John, sister Carol, brothers Kenneth (Deborah) & Vincent (Menfis), brothers-in-law Danny (Laura), David, & Carlos, and sisters-in-law Nilda & Linda, sister-in-Christ Alma (Calvin), brother-in-Christ Mark (Jennifer), and a host of beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and chosen family.

We ask that you honor my mother by finding joy through her eyes. Remember her when you see a hummingbird in the summer, cedar wax wings feasting on holly bushes in the winter, deer roaming in the evening, and owls hooting in the late night. Think of her as you swim in the ocean and feel the sun on your skin. Honor her deep desire to travel more by traveling to the place that you’ve always wanted to visit, but are too scared to go to. Speak love into your rose gardens, your tomato bushes, and your houseplants. Be a listening ear and offer your advice as honestly and gently as possible. Remember that our grief and pain come from the fact that all of hers has been taken away.

A viewing will be held on Friday September 15 from 7-9 PM at Platt’s Funeral home at 337 N Belair Rd Evans, GA 30809. Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 16 at 11 AM at Second Providence Baptist Church, 1202 Old Edgefield Rd, North Augusta, SC 29841. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation or to Second Providence Baptist Church.