David Rodney "Rod" Rudisill

David Rodney “Rod” Rudisill was born on August 9, 1952 in Lincolnton, NC. He passed away peacefully the evening of January 30, 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Sue Ridley Rudisill, as well as his parents, John Calvin Rudisill and Bessie Lee Benfield Rudisill.

Rod married Jackie, who was without a doubt the love of his life. After she showed up to one of his South Point basketball games, he showed up to her classroom at Cramerton Jr. High to ask her on a date. They eventually eloped and were married for close to 48 years.

Together, Jackie and Rod built a loving family that included daughters, Holly Rudisill and Emilie Lovelace (Ron), and honorary daughters, Shelly Hyde (Lee) and Cristiana Brakefield (Aaron). Rod loved his girls and worked hard to provide for them. After teaching all day, he would spend the rest of his day painting houses in his famous paint-splattered 1974 Ford truck, his most prized possession. He always said if people saw that truck, they knew he was still in business. He loved painting and always said it was his therapy.

Family was everything to Rod. He was a proud “Papa” to Shelly’s three girls - Allie, Amy, and Alyssa. He later welcomed bonus-grandchildren, R.J. and Mary Ellen Lovelace. He loved his brothers deeply, John Rudisill (Ginger) and Ed Rudisill (Sandy) as well as his in-laws, Jane Miskelly (Ron) and their families. He thoroughly enjoyed attending family gatherings and did his best to attend games anyone was playing in. Family was so important to him. When it snowed, he would make his girls French toast and snow cream for breakfast, and then pack us all into the old yellow Volkswagon Bug and drive us to go sledding and spend the day with family.

Rod treated everyone he knew like family, and it showed. He had so many life-long friends, and he made sure to keep in touch with all of them throughout the years. He was notorious for giving. If he found something he thought someone would like, he would buy it and give it to them. He would deliver fresh vegetables, fruit, chocolate covered cherries, or flowers to someone he was thinking of that day. He always looked for ways to help and make others smile. He put everyone else first. It was the core of who he was - a thoughtful, generous, gentle man (unless you met him on the basketball court!).

He was passionate about his church and church family. He would take donuts, or later in life, sugar-free candy to his Sunday School friends every week. The mission trips he took to Brazil (where he met Cristiana) as well as the multiple times he went to Alaska to build houses were so impactful on his life. Even in ill health, he wanted to continue his mission trips and always said he was going to go back to Alaska.

Rod graduated from then Stanley High School in 1970. He was president of his senior class and won three senior superlatives - Best All Around, Most School Spirited, and Most Popular. He attended two years at Brevard College, one semester at The University of South Carolina - Columbia, and one and a half years at Lenoir-Rhyne College. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Physical Education and later a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Appalachian State.

Rod was a standout basketball player. He would walk into the opposing team’s gym and folks wondered who that tall skinny kid with glasses was, but they quickly learned he meant business on the court. During high school, Rod was named MVP and All Conference. During his second year at Brevard, they won the championship and proceeded to the conference tournament, with a final overall record of 22-7. He then helped the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears win the 1973-74 Carolinas Conference Championship, alongside Hal White, John Lentz, Rick Barnes, and others. His entire life, he cherished the friendships he made during this time and would often go on road trips with them to watch Rick coach Texas and Tennessee.

His coaching career began at South Point High School in 1974, where he was the JV Boy’s Basketball coach. He took that team from a 1-6 record to finish the season with a winning mark of 7-6. He was promoted the following year to coach Varsity Boy’s Basketball and Boy’s Tennis. As a first-year head coach of the varsity team, he had a 16-9 record. He was recognized as the Gaston Gazette Coach of the Year, and is credited with turning around the South Point High School athletic program in boy’s basketball. From 1975-1980, he had a record of 76-56, third most wins at South Point, and best winning percentage. In the 1976-77 school year, he started the Cross Country Program at South Point. That first year of the program, the Cross Country team won the WNCHSAA Cross Country Championship. He was so proud of his athletes and kept in touch with many of them all his life.

In addition to his family and sports, Rod also dedicated his life to teaching. He taught special education his whole career. He was the most patient when he was with his students and it was magical to watch him with them. He loved them and they loved him back. He was such a strong advocate and mentor for them. They, along with the kids he coached, are his living legacy.

Rod will forever be remembered for the impact he made on so many lives, his gentle soul, his generosity, his expert paint skills, his sharp elbows on the court, and his love for his family and friends.

Visitation services will be held at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Gastonia, NC, from 5pm to 7pm Saturday, February 7th. A Memorial Service will be held at 4pm Sunday, February 8th, at Venture Church in Dallas, NC with Pastor Austin Rammell officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Adams, Steve Barkley, Jim Biggerstaff, Jim Bumgarner, John Mauney, Don Ratchford, Joe Shepherd, and Hal White.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Venture Church, 800 East Main St, Dallas, NC 28034 or online at https://daretoventure.org/give/.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144, is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com