Rosie Mae Rodgers, 82, formerly of Chillicothe, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010.
Rosie was born Feb. 20, 1928 in Kansas City, Mo., daughter of William and Rosa Irwin Sallard. Rosie was married for 37 years and to this union survives her only child, Rosaline Williams (Nylie), Chillicothe, Mo.
Rosie spent her childhood in Rosedale, Kan. She attended Attucks Elementary School, Northeast High School and graduated from Sumner High School. She went on to attend Lincoln University and received her B.S.E. in elementary education. She continued to further her education while married, raising her daughter and teaching. She received her masters degree from Webster college and went on to take other classes and workshops to sharpen her teaching skills.
Rosie retired from teaching after 42 year in the Kansas City, Mo., public schools. Her career started at Benjamin Banneker School teaching fourth grade. She later taught at Lincoln Preparatory and finished her formal teaching career at Garfield School.
She moved to Chillicothe, Mo., to be with her daughter, there she continued to share with children through the Chillicothe Mentoring and Leadership Program.
Rosie was a member and participated in several clubs. She was a longtime member of the Celebrants Club. She had been an active member of Gregg Tabernacle Church for over 60 years and had held various titles and offices, some of the most recent have been trustee and Courtesy Club, helping with meals in the kitchen or anyway she could serve her pastor and church family.
She is survived by her daughter, Rosaline Williams (Nylie), Chillicothe, Mo.; two grandchildren, Chadwick Epps, Kansas City, Mo., and Lauren Epps, Atlanta, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews; family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Arthur Sallard, William Sallard and Bert Sallard; four sisters, Daisy Sallard, Maryetta Green, Alice Thomas, Jaunita Lee; two infant brothers.
Services will be held Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Gregg Tabernacle Church, 1812 E. 37th Street, Kansas City, Mo. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with services at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Blue Ridge Lawn, Kansas City, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Mentoring and Leadership Project, Chillicothe R-2 Schools, 1020 W. Old Highway 36, Chillicothe, MO 64601.
Arrangements are under the direction of Laurence A. Jones Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo.
