Annie R Rodgers

Annie R. Rodgers departed from this earthly life on April 06, 2021. She was born Annie Ruth Carter in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Elijah Carter and Frances A. (née Bishop) Carter Bryant. She was raised in a loving Christian family and “village” of aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, and family friends who instilled in her the values of faith, love, charity, education, self-sufficiency, and industry. Much of her early years was spent with her maternal grandmother, Millie Anne Bishop, after whom she was named, while her parents worked. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age into the family of believers.

After graduating from Howard High School in Chattanooga, TN, Annie continued her education and trained to become a licensed practical nurse. As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), she worked for some years in the maternity and neonatal departments caring for newborns and their mothers. A person of many talents, she later returned to college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in teacher education. She taught kindergarten through elementary grades for a number of years before finally earning a master’s degree in special education from Cleveland State University in which she worked until retirement.

She met Joseph L. Rodgers through his sister and her good friend and neighbor of many years. They married and moved to Lorain, Ohio where he was already established. One child, a daughter, Laurie, was born to this union. In addition, they were foster parents to another little girl for approximately five years until that child was reunited with her family.

In Lorain, Annie took part in church and community activities. She served on the Deaconess Board and Missionary Society at Second Baptist Church, and lent her support in different ways to its various programs and projects. She was a member of the NBPW, LCABSE, PTA, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She lovingly cared for her husband, mother, and sister-in-law throughout their respective illnesses.

In her retirement years, Annie once again became a foster mother for a short period of time. She also worked in the A.B.L.E. education program and briefly served as an activity director at a nursing home. During her free time, she was an enthusiastic scholar of biblical studies.

Annie was a person full of love, charisma, and character who sought to lead an exemplary Christian life as a dutiful, loyal, loving, and responsible daughter, wife, mother, and citizen. She was kind, caring, and considerate of others—especially children and pets. It is this concern for others and a firm belief in the importance of education that influenced her career choices in nursing and teaching. Annie had many creative interests such as cooking and collecting recipes, reading, listening to music, gardening, sewing and quilting. Amidst her busy life, she still found time to design and decorate, travel, and entertain. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. May they be inspired by her warmth, kindness, friendliness, and independent spirit as they cherish her memory.

She leaves to mourn her passing, a devoted daughter, Laurie A. Rodgers of Lorain;

cousins and the families of, Mrs. Louise Ervin, Mr. James Franklin, Mr. William Henry (Linda) Hampton, Mrs. Ora Lee Jackson, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Johnson; niece, Mrs. Arlinda Keaton and family; nephew, Mr. Vernon (Robin) Rodgers and family; and a host of relatives. She is also survived by many dear friends including longtime friend and former schoolmate Mrs. Dahlia Harland, and the families of Montgomery, Nettles, and Pye. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. Rodgers, and parents Elijah and Frances.

Walk-through visitation will be Monday-April 19, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Second Baptist Church, 300 West 13th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052. Social distancing and masks are required. Private service for the family (due to COVID-19 restrictions) will follow immediately afterwards. Pastor Loversier Lewis will officiate with remarks from Pastor Dennis Allen and Pastor James Williams. Burial in Resthaven Memory Gardens, 3700 Center Road, Avon, OH 44011. Services and funeral arrangements entrusted to Carter Funeral Homes, Inc. 3001 Elyria Ave., Lorain, OH 44055, phone 440-244-5200. Online condolences at www.carterfuneralhomesinc.com.

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