Ethel Mae Rogers' Obituary
ROGERS, ETHEL MAE EDWARDS Born on December 16, 1908 to Minnie Lee Chamblee Edwards and Luther Leonard Edwards in Van Zandt County, TX and died on February 25, 2012 in her home in Dallas. She enjoyed good physical health until relatively recently, and until the very end of her life, Ethel remained a lively, well-informed conversationalist who enjoyed talking with visitors about everything from world affairs and politics to fashion or the best time to till the ground for spring garden. Ethel grew up with one older brother and two younger brothers and they enjoyed life in a close-knit family, moving frequently from county to county as their father found work as a sharecropper. After finishing high school at age 16, Ethel got permission to take an extra year of school because she so loved reading and learning. She later enrolled in a Christian college in Terrell but after one semester, left college to marry her sweetheart, John Leonard Rogers, on November 30, 1929. Ethel and Leonard were happily married for more than 58 years and together raised two sons and three daughters while living first in Kaufman and Johnson counties, and later, from the late 40’s until the middle 60’s on 61 acres at Royal Lane and Inwood Road in Dallas. Their last move, in 1966, was to the house in North Dallas that Ethel called home until her death. During Ethel’s final years of life, Ethel was professionally and compassionately assisted by caring women representing Home Instead Agency and Christian Care Agency. Her family thanks Carla Hooper, Siandra Jones, Shingirai Jemwa, Gayla and Tiwonge Chisenga for lovingly ensuring Ethel’s health and safety as she remained in her own home all her life. Ethel was a gifted seamstress and skilled businesswoman who built one of the largest alteration businesses in Dallas, employing more than 30 women over the years who helped her operate five busy locations. Her association with the Carriage Shop lasted 42 years and she enjoyed serving others with her gifts of creativity and administration until she retired at the age of 85. Her relationship with Christ was the center of Ethel’s life. Her knowledge of scripture was extensive and she continued learning and studying the Bible until she was called home to be with her Redeemer. She was the center of a large and loving family and is survived by her five children, Johnny Malcolm Rogers and wife, Grace; Joan Rogers Williams and husband, Rodney Williams; Lanny Rogers and wife, Jean, Phyllis Rogers Unrein and husband, Pat and Patsy Rogers Johnson and husband, Audie Johnson. Ethel was “Nannie” to 12 grandchildren, two of whom preceded her to heaven and 18 great grandchildren, all of whom loved her very much. Ethel is also survived by her younger brother, Woodrow Edwards and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who counted it a privilege to know and love Ethel Edwards Rogers. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00PM, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be 11:00AM, Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Canyon Creek Baptist Church.
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