Carmen Zoraida Rodriguez, 66, of Statesville, N.C., was born on October 12, 1959, in Dunkirk, N.Y., to the late Juan and Adelina Echevarria Rodriguez. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville, N.C.

Carmen was a devoted teacher for more than 35 years, providing a sound Christian education to hundreds of students. A determined perfectionist and gentle fighter in serving the Lord, she also possessed a tremendous sense of humor and was lovingly known as the family clown. Her greatest joy, however, was witnessing children come to faith.

Carmen dedicated her life to the students and families she served in Christian education, believing that helping children know Christ was the greatest gift she could give.

She is survived by her brothers, Roberto Rodriguez and Reinaldo Rodriguez (Mary); her sisters, Lillian Divine (Ned) and Norma Hardin (Darryl); five nieces, three nephews, and hundreds of rambunctious kindergartners from her many joyful years of teaching.

A memorial service to celebrate Carmen’s life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Diamond Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff Durham and Rachael Shufelt officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carmen Rodriguez Memorial Fund. Checks should be made payable to Statesville Christian School, with “Carmen Rodriguez Memorial Fund” noted on the memo line.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Carmen and her family.