Luis " Chu Chu" Rodriguez

Newton Grove, Luis Rodriguez 61 passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Mary Gran Nursing Center in Clinton.

Funeral Service will be held 2:00pm Tuesday March 5, 2019 at Hope Valley Hawkins Funeral Chapel 1246 Hobbton Hwy Clinton NC. Viewing will be held Monday March 4, 2019 at 2:00pm until 6:00pm family will be present 5:00pm until 6:00pm at Hope Valley Hawkins Funeral Service & Cremation.

Luis Angel “ChuChu” Rodriguez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on September 11, 1957 to the parents of Manuel Rodriguez and the late Juana Rodriguez.  He attended public schools in San Juan.  He left San Juan and came to the United States as a young man to find work and to start a life of his own.  He met his lifelong friend, Nelson Cuevas, in Florida in the late 80's.  The two came to North Carolina in 1990 in the hopes of finding a permeant resident.  Luis met his future and the love of his life, Willa Mae Smith, whom he affectionately called “My Love”.  The two became one on December 14, 1991 and would start a family to which 4 born children were born.  The two remained together until her passing on February 4, 2008.  Luis worked in various positions to include working on the farm, Hog Slat, and his final job was with the Bradshaw Brothers out of Newton Grove, NC.    

Luis was a jokester and didn’t mind making you laugh.  He also believed in supporting the children’s extra curriculum activities as much as he could.  He was very sociable and loved cooking on the grill for his family, making his famous beans and rice, along with his cabbage.  He was committed to what he believed to be right.  He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them.  Because of an accident in 2007 his health started to decline. Samellia became his care taker, after the passing of his wife, Willa in 2008.  She solicited help from a local home health agency to which they sent out Rubia Carter.  Mrs. Carter loved and nourished him back to better health until agency changes were made. As a result of the changes, Mary stepped in to assist with his personal care.  She looked after him until 2014 as his health continued to deteriorate and he needed 24 hour care.  Luis then became a resident of the Magnolia Nursing Home out of Clinton NC.  He would transition to Mary Gran where he met friends whom affectionately called him “Chu Chu” and Chewy Louie” he remained until the Lord called him home Thursday, February 28, 2019. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, four children: Juana from Dunn, NC, Luisa from Dunn NC, Alexander and Jay from Newton Grove, NC and one granddaughter Naomi.  He also leaves behind his in laws Jimmy and Willie Mae Smith both from Newton Grove, NC.  Luis had three sister in laws Mary (Nelson), Samellia (Jonathan) out of Newton Grove, NC, and Veronica (Nicholas) out of Greensboro, NC.  Two brother in laws Jerome Smith and Jimmy Smith both from Newton Grove, NC and a host of nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews whom he loved.. 

There are many things that could be said about Luis but we his family prefer to reflect on the good times we shared with him.  A special thank you to the staff at Mary Gran for their commitment to provide him with the best quality of life that could be afforded to him and to Sampson Regional Hospital ICU /ER staff for caring for him during his stay there. 

Service of Hope Valley Hawkins Funeral Service & Cremation

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Luis " Chu Chu" Rodriguez, please visit our floral store.