YATES, RODNEY WALTER (AGE 68) OF CLINTON, MARYLAND

Rodney Walter Yates, affectionately known to family and friends as "Mooney," was born in Washington, DC, on March 29, 1956, and departed this life on February 28, 2025.

Mooney was the eighth of ten children born to the late Joseph Earl and LaVerne Gwendolyn (Johnson) Yates.  He was educated in the Charles County Public School System, graduating from La Plata High School in 1974.

Like his father and brothers before him, Mooney was a mechanic – carrying on the family tradition.  He also worked construction, becoming a member of Local 456. For a number of years, Mooney also worked at Daycon Products Company in Upper Marlboro, MD, and at Carmasters of Maryland in Clinton, MD.  Additionally, Mooney  worked alongside Roscoe Stewart performing various mechanic jobs.

Mooney was an outgoing person with a zest for life.  He was always eager to get his fishing license so that he could go fishing.  Unfortunately, he never caught a fish that he could legally bring home.  He loved watching Westerns such as "The Rifleman," "Wagon Train," and "Gunsmoke."  Mooney was a long-time wrestling fan, which started when he was a kid.  He loved all genres of music with Parliment-Funkadelic being his favorite band, and "No Diggity" was one of his favorite songs.  He once recited word-for-word, "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong. Beginning as a kid going to Aquaso, Capital, and Budds Creek Racetracks with his father and brothers, he developed a love for car racing, especially grudge racing.  He eventually became an avid follower of Nascar and NHRA racing. Even though his favorite football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers, he'd support the Washington Commanders when they didn't play his team.

Mooney will always be remembered for being the life of the party – a jokester who could lighten any gathering, small or large, with his quick wit and playful demeanor.  Did you know that Mooney had his own language?  When talking to him, he might say, "I need to decompress," which meant calm down; "you at the address," which meant are you home; "drop the hammer," which was his way of asking if he needed to handle someone who was causing harm to a loved one; "gitty up," which meant speed up and put the peddle to the meddle, "I need to go home and get some vittles," which meant eating; "falling off the bone," which meant intoxicated or having a breakdown; and, his all-time favorite, "pop billing," which could either mean acting out or flexing/balling.

Mooney's untimely departure will leave a void in the lives of all who knew him.  Because he had a strong sense of family and obligation, he always made himself available, not only to them but also to friends, without question.  If you needed him, he was there.  It didn't matter if he was in the middle of doing something else or how much time it might have taken, you could depend on Mooney to show up.

He also took time with his nieces and nephews, who he treated as his children; often sharing life lessons and giving them advice about life, love, etc.  He took his role as Uncle very seriously, and they loved every minute of it, always happy to be in his company.

In addition to his parents, Mooney was preceded in death by his Brother, Alvin, his Sister-in-Law, Brenda Bivins, Great-Nephews, J'Shaun Wallace and Danico Hall, and Great-Great Niece Nyah Hairston.

Mooney loved all of his siblings, but he shared a special relationship with Patricia Wills (Patsy), who treated him like a Son.  In addition to Patsy, Mooney leaves to cherish his memory, his other Siblings, Joseph (Cynthia), Gilbert Bivins, Steve (Elaine), Carolyn Adams, Joan Yates, Gilbert (Ernestine), Cyril (Janette), and Sheila Makle; Sister-in-Law, Cathy Yates; one Uncle, Allen Yates, and Aunts: Jeanette Cooper, Dorothy Johnson, Mary Louise Yates, and Elva Yates. Mooney's memory will also be cherished by a host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.  Mooney had a number of close friends; sorry we can't name all of you but you know who you are. He did share a special friendship with Timmy Jennings and Floyd Curtis, and a special relationship with Nicole Birden.

His Viewing will be held from 9:00am until time of Service 11:00am, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery, LaPlata, Maryland.

On Tuesday, March 18th at 11:00 am please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream