Roderick James Varner

Roderick (Roger) James Varner was born on July 16, 1965 in Chicago, IL to the parents of Freddie James and Mae C. Varner. 

Roger accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Louise Stokes. He attended John F. Smith Elementary, Holy Family Catholic School, and graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 1984. He also attended Malcom X. Jr. College and received AA Degree. Roger was employed at R.U.S.H. P. St. Luke Hospital and AMITA Health as a Crisis Prevention staff member. He was an entrepreneur and business owner: “He would sale liquor and cigarettes but never would drink or smoke.” 

Roger was naturally gifted at playing basketball, football and baseball. His adventurous side could be seen in his love for riding motorcycles and racing cars. Roger brought energy wherever he went and there was a never a dull moment. His favorite thing to do was tell stories and crack jokes that put a smiles on your face and he had a way of turning ordinary moments into memories that family and friends would talk about for years. Roger also loved repeating the memorable sayings he heard growing up. One favorite came from Moms Mable, “I rather pay a young man’s way to California than to tell an old man the distance.” Another attribute of Roger was making those he loved a priority. He was the kind of person who wanted to know that everybody was all right—and, most importantly, that everybody had something to eat. 

On August 24, 2026, Roderick was born into eternity after battling a long-term illness. 

Preceding him in death were: Father, Freddie J. Varner; stepfather, Revered Willie F. Campbell; sister, Shalunda A. Varner; aunts, Mary Logan & Tammy Alexandar; uncle, Frank Logan; special cousins, Darrell, Monica and Torrence Phillips; uncle, James Calvin Phillips; grandfather, J.W. Phillips; uncles, John Will Phillips and Henry Lee Alexandar; and aunt, Tina Mary Kate Andrews. 

Roderick leaves to cherish his memories: His mother, Mae C. Campbell; aunt, Virginia Phillips; cousin, “Little” Janice Phillips; three siblings, Pastor Derrick (Yvette) Varner, Lashanda (Roy) Floyd and William C. (Christine) Campbell; a loving fiancé, Terina King; two loving daughters, Trevecia (Vece) and Tava Varner; two wonderful grandsons, Joshua Williams and Jase Tolston; aunt, Janice (Walter) Scott; nephews, Orlando D. Varner, Justin and Joshua Floyd, Jalen and Mason Campbell; his nieces, Brittany (Dominique), Kiana (Felix) Varner and Alexis Varner, Mirah McHenry, Coraline Trevino, Michael Trevino and Dominique “DJ” Anderson; one Godson, Devon Alston; cousins Darnell, Gerrick, Sendra, Seth, Sage, Shaudae, Kanola, Calvin, Kahnia, Semya, Tanique, Angel, Mariah and so many more favorite cousins; and childhood friends, Odell (Sonny) Gordon, Mike Evans, Perry Ridley and Floyd (Bird) Davis.