Annelle Cato Rogers

            We are gathered this afternoon to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all of are buried in Jesus Christ the Lord and the resurrection of Annelle Cato Rogers.  Nell died peacefully at home early on Wednesday morning.  She was 83.

            Nell was born in the village of Union Church, Jefferson County, Mississippi, on November 19, 1922, the daughter of Paul and Myra Bailey Cato.  Nell grew up in Union Church, where her father was a leading citizen and a member of the Mississippi state legislature.  Nell was baptized and confirmed in the historic Union Presbyterian Church, founded by Scotch Irish Presbyterians in 1817.  Union Church lacked an adequate high school in those depression days, so Nell lived for two years with her aunts in Clinton, Mississippi, where she graduated from high school.

            Nell’s parents sent her off to Southwestern in Memphis, a Presbyterian college now known as Rhodes College.  Nell didn’t like it much, and transferred back to Ole Miss in Oxford, graduating in 1942 with a degree in chemistry and mathematics – in three years at the age of 19.

            It was in the science lab at Ole Miss that Nell met a pharmacy student.  The “chemistry” must have been right, as Nell and Dan Rogers married less than two years later, on December 26, 1941.  Nell and Dan shared 64 years of marriage together, and were blessed with three children.

            After Dan and Nell finished their studies at Ole Miss, the newlyweds moved to Alabama, where each worked for DuPont.  Dan joined the Navy in 1943, and Nell followed him to his various duty stations ranging from Plattsburg, NY, to Maryland, Norfolk, the outer banks of NC, and New York City.  Nell and Dan were in Times Square on August 15, 1945, VJ Day.

            After the war Dan and Nell returned to Mississippi briefly, where Dan started his vocational work as a pharmacist.  Neither were satisfied with the life or opportunities afforded them in their home state, so in 1946, they moved to Richmond, where Dan’s brother was serving as the chief resident in OB GYN at MCV.

            Dan worked first for Semmes Avenue Pharmacy, before opening his own drug store at the corner of Westover Blvd and Forest Hill.  Dan built his business and Nell maintained their home.  They had come to believe they could not have children, so when Dan’s OB GYN brother called and said, “Would you like to have a son?” they jumped at the chance and adopted and named their son Daniel Garvin Rogers, Jr.  Two years later they had a second son, Paul Clifton, and seven years later, a daughter, Julie Anna.  They lost Julie to cancer in 1993.

            After moving to Richmond, Dan and Nell joined Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, where they were active members for 23 years, before joining Bon Air Presbyterian in 1972.  Nell taught women’s and youth classes in the church school and participated in the various activities of her church. But her religious passion was always expressed through the church’s social witness and community ministry.  She was active in various phases of the Bainbridge Community ministry, including board member, for well over thirty years.  She tutored students at Oak Grove and then Armstrong High School.  She volunteered for Meals on Wheels.  She was a long time member of the Church and Society Division and the Peace Education Action Group.  Nell was a tireless advocate for the poor and marginalized of society.  Her ministry and witness was a direct expression of her love for God and faith in Jesus Christ. 

When Nell and Dan joined BAPC in 1972, the membership form included the question, “What do you expect to contribute to the life of the world through this church?”  Nell wrote, “I hope always to show the love of Christ in action by helping in any way I can to make this community a better place for all its people.”  These words pretty much sum up Nell’s understanding of Christian discipleship.

            Nell’s greatest joy in life came from her family and friends.  Not all of her friends walked on two feet. Many of them walked on FOUR feet. Nell was a dog lover who loved all creatures great and small.  Nell also was a dog trainer.  She started showing dogs with her daughter Julie and continued until her health made that difficult.  She was active in the Richmond Dog Obedience Club for more than twenty years.

            Nell was an honest and assertive woman, traits she acquired and perfected long before many women discovered their full personhood.  When and how she became “the Nell” we all loved, remains a mystery.  Dan does remember it goes back at least to her college days when her chemistry professor suggested Nell was probably not up to a class outing to Memphis planned for the guys.  My guess is that professor lived to regret that suggestion!  We will dearly miss Nell’s insights and outspoken ways – two gifts that enriched the lives and work of her colleagues in the mission of the church.

            Nell is survived by her beloved husband, Dan; two sons, Danny and his wife, Gennette, and Paul and his wife, Elizabeth; and three grandchildren, Amanda Rogers and Amanda and Joseph Winter.  Our love prayers are with you all. 

            Now, having gathered for our mutual support and to hear the comfort of the scriptures, let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, Virginia

April 8, 2006