Celebrating the Life of
Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers

July 19, 1930 – February 22, 2026

Surrounded by his loving family, Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers stepped peacefully into eternity on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 5:55 p.m. He was born on Saturday, July 19, 1930, in Talucah (Valhermoso Springs), Alabama, to the late Mr. John-Percy Rodgers and Missionary Attie-Mae Burton-Rodgers.

Born the ninth of eleven children during the years of the Great Depression, Jimmie learned early the value of hard work, perseverance, and faith. He was raised on a sharecropping farm where he worked alongside his parents and siblings tending horses, mules, hogs, chickens, soybeans, and cotton. From a young age he demonstrated determination and responsibility, even helping build a water-well, a meat smoke house and the front steps leading into his family’s home.

Affectionately known as “Big Red,” growing up, Jimmie eventually became the last surviving child of his parents’ eleven children. Though he attended the Talucah public school system, he withdrew from high school in the tenth grade to help his father maintain the family land and livestock. His sense of duty to family guided many decisions in his life.

In 1948, Jimmie welcomed his beautiful gray-eyed daughter named, Dorothy “Nell,” into the world. During that season he worked diligently in several occupations including making pipes in a coal room in Tennessee, shucking mussels in the Tennessee River, and working in a flourmill in Talucah, Alabama.

Jimmie later answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army and was stationed in San Diego, California. From 1950 to 1953 he served during the Korean War, entering as a private and rising to the rank of corporal as a “side winder” machine gunner and sharp shooter. During battle he endured the hardship of being captured as a Prisoner of War. While imprisoned he courageously located and rescued his captain, saving both of their lives. Although the racial climate of that era prevented him from receiving the recognition he deserved, his courage and sacrifice remain a powerful testimony of his endurance and steadfast character.

In 1953 he experienced a profound loss when his beloved mother, Missionary Attie-Mae Burton-Rodgers, passed away. Family members recall that he held her in his arms as she took her final breath.

The year 1954 marked a pivotal turning point in his life when he moved north, first to Albion, Michigan, and eventually to Akron, Ohio, known as the “Rubber Capital of the World.” In 1956 he began employment with the Ford Motor Company in Walton Hills, Ohio.

In 1957 Jimmie met and married Ms. Barbara Lee Hooks and became the proud father of Eddie Lee “Sonny” Rodgers and Gloria-Jean Rodgers. Their marriage lasted eighteen and a half years until the passing of his beloved wife, Barbara “Bobbie” Rodgers, in 1975.

During those years he faithfully served as a Trustee at Old Bethel Baptist Church on Robert Street under the leadership of the late Rev. G. A. Humphrey. He was present when the congregation marched to their new church edifice on Arlington Street.

After much prayer, while serving as a trustee of Greater Bethel Baptist Church in Akron, Jimmie was introduced to Miss Donzella Hawkins. Their love blossomed and they were united in Holy matrimony on August 1, 1981, in a beautiful rainbow-themed ceremony officiated by her father, the late Rev. Dr. William Kizer Hawkins, Sr.

From this blessed union Jimmie, “Mr. Hunnies” and Minister Donzella Hawkins-Rodgers, “Mrs. Hunnies” welcomed three children into the world: Jimmie Kizer Rodgers in April of 1982, Dominique Martin Rodgers in January of 1985, and Chloe’ Shel’Lee Rodgers in August of 1987.

In 1986 the Rodgers family moved from Akron, Ohio to Copley, Ohio, allowing their children to attend the Copley Public School system. “Pops” was known as the ultimate “sports dad,” faithfully taking his children and their friends to wrestling, soccer, baseball, football, and cheerleading events—often ending the day with a trip to Taco Bell.

A gardener since his youth, Jimmie always maintained a flourishing garden. Each year he planted his seeds before Easter, often saying that just as Christ rose in three days, his crops would rise from the soil. Ever so generous, he shared his harvest of tomatoes, greens, onions, corn, potatoes, watermelons, okra, turnips, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, and peppers with neighbors and friends.

After thirty-eight years of dedicated service, Jimmie retired from the Ford Motor Company in April 1994. In 1999 “Uncle Rodgers” lovingly stepped in as a surrogate father to his great nephew Christopher Richardson and great niece Arianna Richardson. Around that same time he was ordained as a Deacon under the pastorate of the late Rev. Samuel L. Johnson at New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of Akron, Ohio.

After a lifetime of sacrifice and helping send three children through college, Jimmie fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2005 by building the home he and his wife would enjoy together. For more than two decades he faithfully served as Chairman of the Deacon Board at Upper Room Action Ministries, where his wife served as pastor.

In 2019, at the age of 89, Deacon Rodgers was ordained as Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers under the leadership of his son, Apostle Jimmie Kizer Rodgers, through the Beth-El Fellowship of Visionary Churches founded by Bishop Flanvis Josephus Johnson, Prelate.

Brother Rodgers was also a devoted member of Al Kaf Temple #109 since 1969, Phoenix Lodge #112 since 1970, the Bezalel Consistory #53, and the Al Kaf Shriners. He also supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was a lifetime member of the NAACP.

In his leisure time he enjoyed bowling, gardening, watching HBO boxing, reading the newspaper, couponing, mall walking, watching “his stories,” “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and keeping up with the Dow Jones and CNN news on television.

Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. John Percy Rodgers and Missionary Attie-Mae Burton-Rodgers; five brothers: John Percy Jr., A.J., O’Bryan, Robert “Bebop,” and Tommie Rodgers; five sisters: Lena Rodgers-Simmons, Lucy Rodgers-Jennings, Eula Rodgers-Wallace, Bennie “Coesther” Rodgers-Murphy, and Hazel Rodgers-Menifee; a son Eddie Lee “Sonny” Rodgers; and a daughter Dorothy “Nell” Dukes.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory his devoted wife of 44 years, Dr. Donzella Hawkins-Rodgers; his sons Apostle Jimmie Kizer Rodgers, Dominique Martin (Nadia) Rodgers; his daughters Gloria-Jean Rodgers-Chandler and Chloe’ Shel’Lee (Korey) Lewis; Nick named “Grand-dad” & “PaJah” to his seven grandchildren he leaves to cherish his love, Lemual Ricardo, Robert Dante’ and Jessica Reanecia Chandler, Makayla NaLeese and Asher Marlee Lewis, Dani Marie and Noelle Nolyn Rodgers; one beloved grand dog, Mr. Baxter “King” Rodgers and was the great grand dad to seven. He also leaves to cherish his memory a dear sister-in-love, Ms. Mary Rodgers (101); his oldest niece, Ms. Mollie Mae “Mot” Stewart; one “godson” Mr. Jimmy (Pam) Gibson and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, cherished brothers and family friends.

The family extends special appreciation to Mr. Rodgers’ care team—Susanne, Paulette, Anyssa, Tina, Joanne, Kristina, Gus, and Ted—and to the members of Good Hope Ministries, where he faithfully served as an Elder and “The Father” of the church.

Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers lived a life marked by faith, courage, generosity, and unwavering love for family. His legacy of strength, service, and devotion will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew, loved and will remember him.

Rest in God Elder Jimmie Lee Rodgers.