On July 4, 1972, a bright and powerful force was granted passage into this earthly realm. His name was Rondell. As the son of Willie Cherry and Ida Braswell, Rondell’s early life took shape in Booklyn, N.Y. After graduating from high school, Rondell moved to Washington, D.C., where he lived with his father and second mother, Hilda Cherry. There he attended Beauford Community College and became a member of the “Temple of Jesus Christ United Church” where he even sang in the choir. Rondell was born again.
Rondell’s next adventure was to join the U.S. Navy where he served from 1993 to 1995. While in the service, Rondell met and fell in love with a little girl named Alisa James. It was through that bond that he met and married her mother, Alika, in 1995. Through their blessed union, two other young men were born. After the service, Rondell and his family moved to Oak Harbor. While there, he worked in a variety of aggressive positions, from repo-man to security and bouncer at “For Pete’s Sake.” As a result of his large stature and outgoing personality, Rondell was given the nickname “Big Daddy,” by which many people still call him today.
It wasn’t long before he realized that his true career-calling was in customer service. In 2003, Rondell and his family moved back to Baltimore, Md. He worked for Rent-A-Center as an assistant manager for six years, and was loved by customers and coworkers alike. Rondell loved people. His philosophies were, “Live your life without regrets,” and “I’m all about life, love and good friends.”
On April 4, 2009, at age 36, Rondell Hashown Cherry willingly gave his spirit back to the Lord. He leaves behind a loving wife, Alika; six children, Michael and Nathaniel Harding (16), Alisa James (15), Hashown Cherry (15), Alixavier Cherry (12) and Ravon Cherry (8); his mother and second father, Ida and Farrior Braswell; his second mother, Hilda Cherry; sisters and brothers, Shonn Alisa Johnson, Gretta Brooks and husband Michael, Robert Braswell and wife Nikki, Anitra Hammet and husband Jamal, and Lauren Angel and husband Steven; along with loving in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, a host of other relatives and many, many friends. Because of his return to the Lord, His Father, our world is a little less full. We love you Big Daddy … we’ll miss you.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
