Rodney Worley

Saturday night, January 21, 2023, I lost the love of my life, Thomas Rodney Worley of Clemmons, NC. Rodney was gone in an instant, yet his huge imprint on this world remains. I want you to know him.

I fell in love with this skinny boy from West “by God” Virginia the moment I laid eyes on him. I was 12 and he was 14. We laugh that he was nothing but lips and knees and he had a wicked sense of humor.  It was kind of edgy and many missed it, but those who didn’t loved it.

It took some growing up before our romance could truly kindle, but once it did, he fell as hard as I had.  From then on, we lit up the room for each other.

Don’t get me wrong, relationships are hard work and ours was no different, but it was never long before he made me laugh to break the ice and we worked at working through life’s challenges.

His laugh and how he made me laugh was my favorite part of him, and it was the key ingredient in sustaining a 41-year marriage and love affair that grew even sweeter these last couple of years.

Rodney was a snappy dresser.  You would often find him in a bow tie and some crazy socks that matched of course.

He had many interests. He liked taking pictures, a variety of music, going places or just hanging out with our best friends Brad and Olivia Butner. He enjoyed going with me to Canine Noseworks trials, having a snack before dinner, usually Cheetos, corn chips or his stash of candy, Hallmark Christmas movies, and above all things, Me.  He loved taking care of me and loving me.  He called me every night on his way home to see if I needed anything. And he often hummed, while walking the hall at work or around the house. I will miss his hum.

Rodney loved taking care of the people and the things he cared about.  He delighted in being of service to others.  He would quietly go about tending to details that no one else saw. He wanted things to be done right. It mattered.

He loved his job as Director of Operations at Tullock Management Company, a management company of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  Rodney’s focus on caring for our elderly sprouted as he grew up spending much time with his own grandparents.

He was the youngest of three. Born to Otis Beryl and Ruby Hazel Worley. He is survived by his brother, Richard Worley of Princeton, WV, his sister, Vicky Underwood of Baltimore, Ohio, and her children, Carl III, Beth, Shannon and David, along with two aunts and numerous cousins.

He was a devoted member of the Winston Salem First Seventh-day Adventist Church.  He loved spending time in service there in countless ways.

An enthusiastic volunteer, Rodney worked every Noseworks trial I went to with Truman or Hemingway, our four-footed children. He gave time to various boards and many hours to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life after my cancer experience, showing his love for me in the ways he knew how.

But when Rodney took a break, you would find him at the beach at Pawley’s Island, SC. That was his happy place.  He humored me with hours at Brookgreen Gardens, yet he preferred taking our various dogs for a walk along the shoreline (Shadow the crabber was his favorite) or sitting in a chair with me at his side, at his favorite time of day, watching the sunset.  Life was sweet there.

And me, I am Lori Worley, his wife and love of his life, and I will love him every day until my days are done here, too. If you knew him, you are fortunate, and if not, I wanted you to know what you missed.  Rodney, I will miss you every day.  Farewell my love.

At the Family’s Request: Please, do not send flowers, rather honor him with your donation to what was important to him.

If you wish to honor him, please make a donation to the Tri-City Academy Building Fund.  Rodney served on the Finance Committee and this project was close to Rodney’s heart.  You can mail a check marked “TCA Building Fund” to:

Winston-Salem First Seventh-Day Adventist Church

PO Box 25563

Winston-Salem, NC 27114

Or give online at:

https://www.wsfirstsda.org/

Click the Give button at the top and follow the steps.

A “Farewell Party” will be held for Rodney at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 5, at the Winston-Salem First SDA Church Family Life Center.  We will share stories of how he made us all laugh.  All who knew and loved him are welcome to come and share in the storytelling.

Please, No Flowers at Rodney’s Farewell either.