Freddie E. Rogers

Posted on May 3, 2024

Freddie E. Rogers, 79, went to meet his Lord and Savior and reunite with his loved ones on April 30, 2024. He was born in Madison on April 7, 1945, to David Rogers and Daisy Williams Rogers. Freddie was the youngest of four children and the only boy. His older sisters, Christine Rogers Tuten, Cossette Rogers Driggers and Ella Mae Rogers Grubbs, lovingly referred to their baby brother as “Buddy.” Freddie was raised in Boyd, where he spent many hours swimming in the creeks and hanging out with his friends. During the summers, he would spend time in Madison with his Phillips, Rogers and Williams cousins, working in the tobacco fields or just seeing what chaos they could cause. When he was around 17, Freddie met the first love of his life, Gladys Todd Rogers. Freddie and Gladys married in 1964. In January 1965, while on leave from the Army, his daughter, Gernett Rogers, was born. Four years later, they welcomed their son, Phillip Rogers. In the years that followed, Kevin Mathers came to live with Freddie and Gladys while he finished high school. He affectionately referred to them as Mom and Pop. Soon after the birth of Phillip, Freddie got a job at the paper mill in Perry. He worked for the mill until his retirement. During his years at Buckeye, Freddie served as president of the Local 1192 United Steel Workers Union. He was proud to represent his fellow workers. In 2003, Freddie lost the first love of his life to cancer. After several years of being alone, he found the second love of his life in longtime friend, Reba Cruce Rogers. Freddie and Reba were married on Dec. 27, 2015. When Freddie married Reba, he gained another son in Alan King. The last eight years were some of his happiest. In his free time, Freddie enjoyed hunting, fishing, Florida State football/ sports, traveling to West Virginia and watching old westerns. He watched every episode of Gunsmoke (multiple times) Cheyenne, The Virginian and all the John Wayne westerns. Freddie also enjoyed spending time on the Suwannee River with his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved taking the grandchildren on the boat to fish or going to their favorite swimming spot – cooking out, eating boiled peanuts and watermelon on a summer week or weekend at the river, making memories. Fall was the time for college football, especially the Florida State Seminoles. Freddie was a season ticket holder for more than 40 years and only stopped attending the games in 2022. Freddie remained a loyal fan through all the highs and lows of the team. Freddie and his kids traveled to away games in Dallas, Jacksonville, Auburn and several other cities cheering the Noles to victory. Cheering on the Seminoles was a favorite pastime. Freddie’s greatest pride and joy were his kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids. The grands affectionally refer to him as “Poppey.” Garon Rogers, Danye Rogers Johns, Dakota Rogers and Evin Rogers each had a special relationship with their Poppy and will miss him tremendously. Spoiling his grandkids and great-grandkids brought him great pleasure. Freddie was a member of the First Assembly of God for many years. Freddie’s family were founding members of Lakeside Baptist Church. Freddie loved watching and listening to Jimmy Swaggart preaching and singing. Listening to gospel music was another one of his favorite pastimes. He is survived by: his wife, Reba Cruce Rogers; sons, Phillip (Donna) Rogers, Alan King and Kevin Mathers (Christie); daughter, Gernett Rogers; his sister, Ella Mae Rogers Grubbs; sistersin-law, Glansy Williams, Bessie Cruce, Mary Cruce and Carol Cruce; brothers-in-law, JR Tuten, Robert Grubbs and JW (Derry) Cruce; his four grandchildren, Garon Rogers, Danye Rogers Johns (Daniel), Dakota Rogers (Megan) and Evin Rogers; and eight greatgrandchildren, MaRhonda Wright, Lauren Wright, Aubree Jenkins, Emma Johns, Harper Rogers, Zachary Rogers, Samuel Rogers and Ava Johns; as well as step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Freddie was preceded in death by: his parents, David and Daisy Williams Rogers; his wife of 39 years, Gladys Rogers; sisters, Christine Rogers Tuten, Cossette Rogers Driggers; and two infant brothers. Viewing will be held Friday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home. Freddie’s Celebration of Life service will be on Saturday, May 4, at the First Assembly of God at 11 a.m. Internment will follow at Pisgah Cemetery. Freddie requested that his service be a praise and worship service. In his last days, Freddie told anyone who would listen about his love of God and wanted to make sure everyone was going to church and was saved. The service will be conducted by the Rev. David Stevens and the Rev. Bobby Hall. Pallbearers are: Donnie Pittman, Bob Wilson, Gary Tuten, Shannon Todd, Christopher Tuten, Mathew Tuten, Walt Schmidt and Michael Everett. Honorary pallbearers are members of his team at Buckeye: Debbie Beach, Johnnie Mae Blunt, Donnie Todd, Robert Israel, Pat Barbaree, Rita Thomas and Jim Deal, along with friend Daryl Lytle and nephew David Todd. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association. www.heart.org Friends may sign the online guest book at www. joepburnsfuneralhomes. com.