Roderick “Big Rod” Powers was preceded in death by his mother, Lola M. Powers. He is survived by his father Robert Early of Columbus, Ohio; significant other, Shawanda Norris; siblings, Michael Powers and Kimberly Sanders of Cleveland, his children: Devaughn Lily, Kierra (Dexter) Benefield of Columbus, Georgia, Roderick Boyd (Tamara), Roderick Otis Powers, Raymond Brown, Elon Hopkins, Roderick Hopkin, Onjanae Banks, Lola Hopkins, Ishalaa “Shay Shay”, and Asiah “Dink”, stepchildren: Tra’vonn Stanley-Norris, Tra’shawn Seldon, Emmahntiaja Hinton, Auser Adams; godchild: Steven “Deuce” English; grandchildren: April, Autumn, Roderick, Summer, Desmond, Destinee, June, Jahvi’ar, Rayonah, Elona, Rayne, ZaRiya, Armani and Zymere; and great-grandchild, A’marriona.

After courageously battling a chronic illness for several years, on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 8:02p.m., Roderick “Big Rod” Powers departed this life, peacefully at the Cleveland Clinic -Marymount Hospital at the age of 55.

Born on October 21, 1964 in Cleveland Ohio, Roderick was the son of Lola M. Powers and Robert Early. He was the father of 15 children, including four stepchildren. Big Rod was baptized at an early age in the Catholic faith. He attended Patrick Henry Middle School and Max Hayes Vocational School. It was at Max Hayes that he first started developing his skills in automotive repair. Accepting his responsibilities as a father at a young age, Big Rod left school to pursue his first job as an apprentice long-haul truck driver. His ability to provide for his family in the way he most desired, was put on hold for a while as a consequence of mistakes in life that cost him his freedom for a period of time. Never one to give up, Big Rod took steps to rebuild his life, first by starting his own floor cleaning and polishing business through which he was even able to score a big contract with K-Mart. He also worked for the City of Cleveland with the Division of Park Maintenance and Properties. His entrepreneurial spirit continued for many years and more recently, he became the proud owner of a moving and snow plowing business. As his health continued to fail, Big Rod leaned towards perhaps what he enjoyed the most–being the consummate maestro of wheeling and dealing in a plethora of side hustles, and spending time with his significant other, Shay, who cheerfully became his right hand.

Big Rod loved all his family and was generous in spirit. He lovingly provided home care services to sick family members without expectations. He called his elderly aunts regularly to catch up on their well-being. He became particularly passionate about building relationships with all of his children and devoted his energy to spending quality time with them whenever he could. One of his most recent accomplishments that he felt was a true blessing was finding and getting to know his eldest son, whom he graciously accepted into his life without hesitation. Most people who knew Big Rod would describe him as being lovably “crazy.” One minute he was the boisterous grizzly bear while the next minute he was the mischievous teddy bear with an impish grin and twinkling eyes. But his family knew that he most likely missed his true calling in life – in that of being a comedian. Even during his most challenging times of excruciating pain, he would make comedic observations and remarks that would encourage those most naturally concerned about him, to laugh aloud.

Big Rod would be the first to admit that he was no angel. He even talked about writing a book in hopes to encourage others not to follow the same paths that led him to his quandaries. He sensed that he had strayed so far from the path that led to salvation, that he doubted redemption was possible for him. Big Rod would often say that it didn’t matter to him if he went to heaven or hell because either way he felt he was sure to be with people he knew. But after the passing of his mother, he couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing her again. So he made a decision to turn his life around and went on a spiritual educational journey to strengthen his relationship with God. He openly asked for forgiveness for the mistakes in his life that hurt others as well as himself. Big Rod finally believed that through God’s Grace, forgiveness was possible – even for himself.

Roderick “Big Rod” Powers was preceded in death by his mother, Lola. He is survived by his father Robert Early of Columbus, Ohio; significant other, Shawanda Norris; brother, Michael Powers and Kimberly Sanders of Cleveland, his children: Devaughn Lily, Kierra (Dexter) Benefield of XXX, Georgia, Roderick Boyd (Tamara), Roderick Otis Powers, Raymond Brown, Elon Hopkins, Roderick Hopkin, Onjanae Banks, Lola Hopkins, Ishalaa “Shay Shay”, and Asiah “Dink”, stepchildren: Tra’vonn Stanley-Norris, Tra’shawn Seldon, Emmahntiaja Hinton, Auser Adams; godchild: Steven “Deuce” English; grandchildren: April, Autumn, Roderick, Sumer, Desmond, Destinee, June, Jahvi’ar, Rayonah, Elona, Rayne, ZaRiya, Armani and Zymere; and great-grandchild, A’marriona.