Robert “Bobby” Rogers

Published 9:07 pm Monday, November 5, 2018

Mr. Robert “Bobby” Rogers, formerly of Beloit, Alabama, passed on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at his home in Pleasant Grove.  He was born on January 5, 1945 to the late Clabron and Leanna Tasby Rogers in Beloit.  He was the youngest of eight children.  He confessed Christ at an early age and became a member of the Mt Calvary A.M.E. Church in Beloit, Alabama.  He was an active and faithful member and sang in the Church’s choir.  Bobby, as he is affectionately known, attended the Dallas County Training School (DCTS) in Beloit.  He was a member of both the basketball and baseball teams.  He was also a member of the Dallas County Training School Choir and the Male Chorus where he showcased his baritone voice.  He graduated from Dallas County Training School in May of 1962.  He then attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, and received a BS Degree in Animal Science in 1966. He also pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Bobby began working with the New York Department of Social Services in 1966; however, he was drafted into the U. S. Army.  He entered the U.S. Army on January 3, 1967, and was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  His next duty station would be a tour in Vietnam.  Bobby achieved the rank of E-5.  His final duty station would be Fort Benning, Georgia.  While in the Army he received many accolades which included the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and 3 O/S Bars, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Marksman (M-14) Medal.  Bobby was honorably discharged on January 2, 1972.

Bobby returned to New York and worked for the New York Department of Corrections and retired with 22 years of service.  He worked at both Riker’s Island and Kings County Hospital where he met and married the love of his life, Brenda.  They were married on September 5, 1987.  After retirement he moved to Birmingham and then worked for another five years with the Federal Reserve.   Bobby also volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity Organization where he helped to build homes for needy families. He did this both after work and on weekends. He said it gave him pleasure to help others in need. 

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He was preceded in death by his parents: Clabron and Leanna Rogers; his sisters:  Mary Rogers Gullett-Tompkins and Lena Rogers Smith; his niece: Leola Rogers McKeever; and his nephew:  Jeffrey Rogers.  He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 31 years, Brenda; daughter Betty Marshall, grandson Marques Marshall, and great-granddaughter Savannah Marshall, all of Racine Wisconsin; sisters Willie Rogers Rios (John) Bowie, Maryland, and Ella Rogers, Brooklyn, New York; brothers Henry Rogers (Jo Ella), Fairfield,, Clabron Rogers (Mable) Detroit, MI, and Johnny Rogers, Brooklyn, New York  four special nieces Leanna Rich (Alvin), Pocono, Pennsylvania, Johnnie Mae Rogers Keen (Martin), Smyrna, Delaware, Janet Rogers Mann (Clarence), Wetumpka, AL, and Venetia Rogers Irby (Lorenzo), Romulus, Michigan, plus a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The homegoing service for Robert “Bobby” Rogers will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 with viewing at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. at the Faith Memorial Chapel Funeral Services, 600 9th Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama 35020 and burial will follow in the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.