Mildred Louise Rodgers

MILDRED LOUISE RODGERS, 87, of Paris, passed from this life into life eternal on Friday December 26, 2014 at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 30, 2014 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home, with Nolan Butler and Patrick Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mildred was born October 12, 1927 in the Hoovertown community of Lamar County, a daughter of George Joseph and Grace Aileen Barnes Wright. She was a graduate of Deport schools, then spent a lifetime of work and service, retiring as manager of Flowers Bakery Thrift Store. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, for a number of years at Lamar Avenue and in later years the College congregation. Mildred was passionate about politics, and transcended typical thought regarding social issues. She had a keen sense of right and wrong, and always did what she could to help those who struggled or felt oppression. Her passion was strongest when the cause regarded children, and she was a strong supporter of the Boles Home for Children, and the Manuelito Navajo Childrens Home. Mildred was fast to respond, generous in her gifts, yet never wished to receive recognition, doing what she could with humility and meekness. She was quick to love, slow to judge, and had the heart of Christ in tender benevolence to those in need.

She married Loyd Henry in 1945, and he preceded her in death in 1952; she later married James David Rodgers in 1956; he preceded her in death in 2003.

In addition to her husbands she was preceded in death by a grandson, John Robert Rodgers, in 1996;and by two brothers, A.L. Wright and Clyde Wright.

Survivors include three children, Kenneth Dale Henry and wife Jane, James R. Rodgers and wife Kristy, and Judy Elaine Hodgkiss and husband Charles, all of Paris; nine grandchildren, Katherine Rodgers, Jacob Rodgers, Kelsey McLaughlin, Kori McLaughlin, Michael Henry and wife Crystal, Kenda Thompson and husband Keith, Jillian Hodgkiss, Marissa Norman and husband Phillip, and Lauren Hodgkiss; six great-grandchildren, Conor Henry, Colton Booker, Chance Booker, Brendan Henry, Cody Booker, and Madelyn Norman; and a sister, Dorothy Minter, of Atlanta Georgia.

Named to serve as pallbearers are Jacob Rodgers, Phillip Norman, Conor Henry, Brandan Henry, Bradley Rodgers, Michael Henry, Cody Booker and Jordan Jent.

Mildred's family wishes to send out their sincere thanks to all of Mildred's caregivers who have added years to her life. They will never be forgotten.