Rodney Sumler was born to Hazel and David Sumler on January 26, 1941 in Germanton, NC. He passed away March 7, 2015 at his residence. Rodney and his siblings were raised in Winston-Salem solely by Hazel, who worked hard at RJ Reynolds to provide for her children. After witnessing the injustices to his family he soon began to develop a passion for the Civil Rights of African Americans.

He attended Atkins High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In 1959 he enrolled at Howard University. After one year, Rodney's calling to aid with the growing injustices of his people grew stronger and he soon found himself forced to return to NC. Rodney enrolled at NC A&T State University, where he actively worked alongside Jesse Jackson and other Pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement to improve the treatment of African Americans in society. In 1963 he graduated Cum Laude with a Major in Biology. Rodney moved on to win numerous prestigious awards for his exemplary service to improve the lives and education of African Americans. During his tenure at the city of Winston-Salem he implemented the first midnight basketball program in the nation in 1972. He taught Biology, Science, History and Physics in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system.

In 1983 Rodney Sumler married his soulmate, Ann Forestene, and in that same year founded The AC Phoenix Newspaper, which he published until his untimely departure. Rodney was an author, lecturer, Bible student, and producer of life changing papers on prison life. He supported many worthwhile causes, often quietly and was a devoted member of the NAACP. Rodney co-founded the Carolinas Black Newspaper Group and worked tirelessly to effect change throughout his community. Rodney was a brilliant man whose passion for religion led him to study the scriptures faithfully.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 32 years, Ann Griffin Sumler; his children, Tanya Wiley-Brown (Dorrel) of Winston-Salem, NC, Jermaine Sumler Faison (Andre) of Conyers, GA, Zoi Wiley of Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Rahni Sumler of Queens, NY; his grandchildren, McKaila, Taliyah, and Jaiden; two sisters, Wilma L. Sumler of Adelphi, MD and Willia D. Sumler of Winston-Salem, NC ; his maternal aunt Ruby Jones of Winston-Salem, NC; a devoted sister-in-law, Connie Slade; brother-in-law, Henry Slade of Eden, NC; a God-brother, Roy Scales of Manassas, VA; God-son, Gerald Green of Kernersville, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, March 13, 2015 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Friday at the Church.