Etterlene DeBarge Rodriguez

Etterlene DeBarge Rodriguez transitioned peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior on February 16, 2024, at age 88, in Van Nuys, California. She was affectionately known as “Mama D” to so many who loved her.

She was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, to William C. and Bessie (Watters) Abney on October 13, 1935, along with her twin sister, Ernestine. The family, which eventually included 13 children, found great joy in their faith, their Pentecostal Church community, and in the music of the Church. William was a renowned gospel singer and a former member of the famous “Correct Singers,” the first black group to have a radio broadcast in the City of Detroit. He trained his children at early ages to sing, and Etterlene recalled long rehearsals with her siblings under her father’s musical direction. In addition, her parents taught responsibility, loyalty, and love for God and all His people, which Etterlene fully embodied. As a teenager, Etterlene received an anointing of the spirit which strengthened and sustained her throughout the rest of her remarkable life.

Etterlene became the matriarch of her ten children, whom she loved very much. She raised them all in the Church where they grew to share her devotion to their Lord and Savior, as well as for Gospel music. She found her greatest joy during those years worshipping alongside her children, encouraging them to sing, harmonize, and play numerous musical instruments. Born in the Church, the DeBarge musical dynasty was established in the 70’s and continues today.

Etterlene was a featured vocalist on several albums by the Bethel Pentecostal Choir under the direction of her brother, James Abney. In 1975, Etterlene recorded a powerful version of the Gospel classic Walk Around Heaven All Day on the album “Thank God I’m One of Them Today,” produced by her brother, Bishop William Abney, Jr. In 1991, she appeared on the Gospel album “Back on Track,” with several of her children, and in 2005, she released a second album, “A City Called Heaven.” In addition to her talents as a recording artist and songwriter, Etterlene authored a book, The Other Side of Pain, detailing her story of faith, fame, and perseverance.

In 2023, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the Sacramento Theological Seminary & Bible College in recognition of her rich life experience and unwavering faith, and another for Biblical Literacy from Next Dimension University.

Etterlene’s love for others knew no bounds, and she bestowed genuine affection freely on the downtrodden and brokenhearted – always ready with a helping hand, an uplifting word, a prayer, and a song of hope. She continued her ministry on social media in later life, often signing off with “I love you and there ain’t nothin’ you can do about it!”

Etterlene is survived by one sibling, her younger brother, James Abney, along with her children Etterlene (Bunny), Randy, Mark, Eldra (El), James, Jonathan (Chico), and twins Darrell (Dakey) and Carol (Peaches), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby in 1995, and Tommy in 2021, as well as her mother, father, and siblings, William Jr., Clara, Mamie, Norman, Marjorie, Phebe, Johnny, Ernestine, Robert, Eleanor and David.

Etterlene’s undisputed legacy continues as it began in childhood – her steadfast faith, the lifelong joy she found in Gospel music, and her deep love for all people, but especially each and every member of her large, beautiful family over whom she is watching now from on high.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation to the Etterlene's Abney family legacy faith community, Bethel Empowerment Church, in Grand Rapids by PayPal to [email protected] or by Cash App to $BethelEC.

A private family Celebration of Life and interment are scheduled at a later time.