Betty Rogers

Betty Rogers, 83, of Cleveland, passed away, Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at her residence surrounded by her family. She graduated from Bradley High Central High School, in 1945 where she was a member of the marching band. She saved her Seniors Memories book with autographs from her classmates where they wrote, what a "swell gal" she was. That scrapbook filled with high school memories was just one of the many keepsakes she cherished. She had a love of antiques, and a knack for decorating, designing arts and crafts and sewing. She had a green thumb, lovingly caretaking plants handed down through the years from her grandmother as well as creating a beautiful yard filled with iris, lilies, flowering trees and bushes. In more recent years, her favorite haven was her screened in back porch filled with plants. She enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels and visiting with friends and family there. As a mother, she loved bragging about her children, stating over and over throughout the years how lucky she was to have three fabulous loving children, her pride and joy. She participated in their lives to the fullest, by attending school programs, ball games, plays and church with them. She sewed for them many things including, clothing, costumes, bathing suits, cheerleading skirts, equipment pouches, special quilts and just about anything you could think of. Proud moments included attending her children and grandchildren's weddings and welcoming their spouses with loving arms, making them part of her family and loving them equally. She loved being "Nana" to her three grandsons and her grand dogs as well. She was a loving and supportive mother, teaching her children the true values in life then setting them free. She started her working career as a telephone operator then a seamstress at American Uniform and continued on to various chair factories and then finally a position at Fay Swafford Originals. She left work with lifelong friends. They enjoyed having lunch, shopping, sightseeing, plant seeking and sharing craft ideas. They loved to visit, never short on something to talk about and always enjoying each other's company. After work she volunteered at the YMCA, where she was active in water aerobics, which was not just exercise, but an important social event. She made many good friends there. She traveled to Alaska regularly where she met head on the adventures that awaited her. She saw the beauty of the state by float plane, train, automobile, snow machine and even horse drawn sleigh. She embraced her daughter's life and friends in Alaska and enjoyed good times with them. She has an extended family there who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, L.M. and Anna Margaret Chapman; husband Kenneth E. "Shorty" Rogers; and infant son Donald Kenneth Rogers. She is survived by her three children and their families: Frank "Bud" Whaley, Jr. and wife Sandra Phillips Whaley of Decatur, and their children, Erik Whaley and Nicholas Whaley and wife Nicole; Kevin Rogers and wife Jenny Finnell Rogers of Benton and their son Jackson Rogers; Greta Suzette Rogers Artman and husband Michael of Anchorage, Alaska and Mike's children, Jeremy, Chris, Holly and Matthew Artman. She is also survived by her siblings: David Chapman, Harriett Runion and John Chapman, all of Cleveland, and Shirley McCurry of Woodstock, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011, in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Pastor David Tullock officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. Her family will receive friends from 12 - 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Her family has requested that memorials may be made to Family Home Care & Hospice, 175 24th Street NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 or Parsons Porch, 121 Holly Trail NW, Cleveland, TN 37311. Acknowledgements will be sent to the family. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rogers family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.