Rodney Fortess Hammond was born in Petersburg, Virginia, to the late Flora Davis Cross and Gene Smith. Rodney went to Chesterfield County Public Schools and attended several colleges. He later joined the United States Army.  He loved to dress to the nine, play pool and home projects.

Rodney was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lucille B. Hammond; step-grandfather, Elie Hammond  and his son, Gavin Pollard.  He is survived by his children, Gabriel Pollard and wife, Antonio F. Hammond, and Connie Keeton; son, Abra Hammond; siblings, Gloria Charity (Howard), Walter Cross (Cynthia), and Sharon Burris; nieces, Paula English, Tara Claiborne (Willie), Ikea Fredricks, Cheitian Burris and Jiordan Burris; nephews, Howard Charity III, Roland Sarvis and Jalen Blake; a host of grandchildren, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends to include, Terry Webster, Gary Moseley, Paul and Mary Redd, Ronnie Allen, Richard Jackson, Mr. Reuben Carroll - VA Social Worker, Care Team: Anna and Tanisha, Chaplain Autumn Lake Loc Raven, Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Hall, Ms. Kemba and the Second Floor Nursing Station and Pastor: Johnnie Jr. and Clementine Fleming.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, Pastor Johnnie Fleming, Jr., eulogist.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.