Born on August 27, 1977, to the late Brenda Grant and James Southers, Rodrick Terrance Southers brought light to the lives of everyone he met. The world lost that light when he joined the angels in heaven on the early morning of Saturday, May 2, 2026. Despite his many challenges, Rodrick always found a reason to laugh and smile. Known for his infectious smile, he lived a life full of love, curiosity, and courage. Rodrick’s resilience was shown by defying the odds in reaching his 48 th birthday, which is 40 years longer than the time the doctors promised. All who knew him spoke highly of his warm soul and gentle nature. He attended LaVoy Exceptional Center through Hillsborough County Public Schools for many years, where he earned a Certificate of Completion in 1998. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Southers and Brenda Grant; grandparents, Clarence Baity, Sr. and Mosley Clark; sisters, Monique Baity and April Damen; aunts, Ann Martin and Clarice Green; and uncle, Clarence Baity, Jr. 

He is survived by his sister, Kailaia Grant; brother-in-law, Torrey Damen; nieces, Tylaia Damen and Aniya Campbell; nephews, Kamar Ashley, Torrick Damen and Torrence Damen; great nephew (and his namesake) Rodrick Morris; aunts, Janice Clark and Gailer Baity; and a host of loving family and friends. The family will forever be grateful to his home care nurses, Ivonne Benitez and Jenitha Adams, the doctors and nurses at Tampa General Hospital Intensive Care Unit, as well as Dr. Lucila Romero and her medical team for their compassionate care, dignity, and kindness to Rodrick.