Roderick was born on December 19, 1954, in Nansemond County, Virginia, to the late Robert White Whitfield and Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield.

He attended Suffolk Public Schools and graduated from Forest Glen High School in 1973.

Roderick leaves to cherish his loving memory, his devoted mother, Emma Marie Whitfield of Suffolk, VA; three brothers, Aubrey Whitfield (Diane) of Portsmouth, VA, Michael Whitfield (Loray), and Phillip Whitfield of Suffolk, VA; three sisters Robin W. Murphy (Clarence) of Franklin, VA, Donna Whitfield (Arthur "Junnie") and Karen Whitfield of Suffolk, VA. He also leaves a niece, Patrice Whitfield of Virginia Beach, VA and two nephews Brandon Whitfield of Upper Marlboro, MD and Jordan Murphy of Franklin, VA; two uncles, Clifton Copeland (Selena) and Lorenzo Copeland (Evelyn) of Suffolk, VA; and three aunts Mildred W. Copeland of Chicago, IL, Mary C. Whitfield and Thelma Copeland of Suffolk, VA; and a host of cousins and friends that he loved dearly.

Roderick also leaves to cherish his memory a devoted friend and confidant, Ms. Yvette Knight and her son, Kenneth Harden, Jr., and granddaughter Za’riana Goodman.

On November 11, 2009 at approximately 9:30 am, the death angel arrived at Sentara Obici Memorial Hospital and took our beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend, Roderick Costello Whitfield, better known as "Stell." He was 54 years old.

A Service to celebrate his life will be held 12:00 noon Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Zion Christian Church by Dr. J. J. Ferguson and the Rev. Ben Fitzgearld. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at 176 Rochdale Lane, Suffolk. The body will be taken to the church at 10:30 a.m. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.