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Our Staff

Our staff's commitment to you 

Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.

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Rodney E. Rocker, Sr.
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James E. Cusack
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Darlene Rocker
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Etta Givens
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Roy Mitchell
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John Dabney

Rodney E. Rocker, Sr.

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Rodney E. Rocker, Sr., a native Floridian, born to Dorothy Rocker & the late June Rocker. Rodney is a 1976 graduate of Wildwood High School. He furthered his education at Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida in 1979 with his Bachelors degree in Education. He later attended and completed studies at Nova University in 1987 with a Masters in Administration and Supervision as well as a Doctoral Candidate of Nova in 1992. In 2003, he completed studies from Saint Petersburg College in Funeral Services and became a licensed funeral director in 2004. 

His career in education is quite extensive and spans from 1979 - present. He has served as a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Principal. He currently serves as a Principal in the Sumter District Schools (1998-Present). He has over 32 years of experience as an educator. From 1992-1995, he served as Team Leader for School Improvement at Florida State University. 

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and currently serves as 1st Vice State Representative (Vice President) of the Florida Statewide Organization. He also holds membership in the Fourth Regional District of the Florida Morticians Association, where he currently serves as District Treasurer and a member of the Education Committee for the State of Florida. He is also a member of Independent Funeral Directors of Florida and National Funeral Directors Association. A member of the Kiwanis Club, he is very much civically involved. 

He serves as Chairman of the Trustee Board of the Mount Ararat Metropolitan Baptist Church of Leesburg and is President of the fellowship choir as well as several community organizations and choirs. He was added to the professional staff of Cusack Mortuary in July 2007, he has made a lasting impact in the Deland community. Ironically, the bond began between Allen & Rodney, began while both were classmates in mortuary school and from this tie a lasting friendship has emerged. 

He is married to his beloved Darlene and is the father of Kyla, Rodney II, Kyle, and Phillip. Rodney and Darlene have three granddaughters, Amari, Daijia and Kyndahl.

James E. Cusack

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The rarity of being a native Floridian, coupled with the unique experience of being born in the "delightful city of DeLand" distinguishes James Cusack. James was born at the DeLand Naval Base Hospital, April 12, 1949, the youngest son of Ruth Evelyn Johnson Cusack and Charles Allen Cusack, Sr. and very welcomed baby brother of Charles Allen Cusack, Jr. "Chuck". 

James Erskine Cusack attended Euclid and Starke Elementary schools during some very transitional times in our social history. An honor (Salutatorian) graduate of Southwestern Jr. - Sr. High School, class of 1967, where he was elected Student Government President, "Most Likely to Succeed", Vice-President of his Class; and was cited for outstanding leadership to the Future Farmers of America, specializing in competitions in Oratory and Parliamentary Procedures. He further distinguished himself as a member of the Honor Society, delegate to Boy's States, served as a Senate Page and performed in the School's band, where he excelled on woodwind instruments, receiving Superior ratings at State Festivals and competitions. 

He accompanied friends and family in local bands until engagements began to conflict with his work and church commitments. Faithfully committed to the Greater Union First Baptist Church, an avid Sunday School Scholar, he often represented their Youth Department at Conferences and Conventions at the local, District and State level. As a young boy, he assisted his parents, who were both employed at the Arthur J. Mack Funeral Home, then located at 234 South Clara Avenue, DeLand. 

Learning office skills from his mother, he soon assisted her with clerical, bookkeeping and attendant duties; and his father with automobile and Cemetery maintenance. Impressed by his intellect and "true grit", Reverend Mack provided him part-time employment throughout High School. Under the guiding hands of the late George Williams, Allen Johnson and Dr. Lancaster Starke, he was awarded the Bausch & Laumb Science Scholarship to the University of Miami, majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine until drafted into the US Army (no college deferments during the Vietnam War). 

In 1969 he was Honorably Discharged from active service. With scholarships relinquished, he resumed studies in Biology at Stetson University, until admitted into Miami-Dade's William Philbrick, Sr. - School of Mortuary Science. To finance his education, he worked as a laborer, lab assistant (at both schools) and commuted back to DeLand on weekends to work as a Funeral Assistant and driver. With a special interest in "Restorative Arts", he completed studies and his internships (under Reverend Arthur J. Mack) in Embalming and Funeral Directing, simultaneously. He passed the State Boards immediately upon graduation and was among the first graduates of the Mortuary Program to pass the National Boards, giving him license to practice in his profession in 44 of the 50 states. 

After a brief tenure as Manager of James N. Davis Funeral Home, Jacksonville and Manager/Operator of Sunset Funeral Home (now Lewis-Ray Mortuary), Titusville; and following the demise of both of his parents, who had now been named Owners (silent partners), he returned to the place of his earlier employment as Manager/Embalmer. He was also employed for 15 years by the Volusia County School System as a Campus Advisor and retired as Vocational/Career Counselor. Despite the many opportunities and lucrative offers made, in other cities and states, he chose to remain in his beloved hometown of DeLand. Believing that he could be of greater of service to the people he knew best, his focus and watchword was/is "to provide courteous, professional, sympathetic service." Governed by a personal philosophy that "you can't live off the community, if you're not willing to live in the community", he presently serves as: Chairman of Board of Directors/Deacons of Greater Union First Baptist Church, Chairman of "Weed & Seed" for the City of DeLand and is an active School Volunteer and sponsor for Church, community, fraternal and youth athletic programs. He is a member of the Fourth Regional District, Florida Morticians Association (past Chairman), Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Life Membership NAACP, Citizen's Advisory Task Force and a Board member for College Arms Towers. He also holds membership in the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Volusia County, Charter member, Springhill Kiwanis Club (Board of Directors) DeLand & Lake Helen Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post #2380, Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Progressive Pallbearers Lodge # 119 and Senator Coleman Elks Lodge I. B. P. O. E. of W # 1175. His past memberships include: Mu Sigma Tau Honorary Mortuary Fraternity, DeLand High School Advisory Council, Commissioner, DeLand Housing Authority, Board of Directors, African- American Museum of the Arts and Florida Funeral Directors Association. 

On February 17, 2002, James was honored by the Fourth Regional District of the Florida Morticians Association as "Mortician of the Year". He was recognized by an overflowing crowd of family, friends, colleagues, community and well-wishers in a memorable banquet, an honor which he is well-deserving of. He is married to Brenda (Badger) Cusack, formerly of Jacksonville, who has worked by his side throughout their marriage. They are the proud parents of one son, Charles "Allen" Cusack, III, who has chosen to follow in his father's footsteps. James is the grandfather of four: Ayja, Taccara, Devin and Destiny and one great-grandchild, Taryn.

Darlene Rocker

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Etta Givens

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Roy Mitchell

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John Dabney

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