Velda Rogers

Velda Pauline Rollins Rogers passed away October 30, 2024. She was born February 18, 1939 in Los Angeles, California, the fourth child of Kennith and Louise Lester Rollins.

As a child, her family moved almost every three years. While still living in Los Aneles, her father was in a play with June Williams. Ester Williams would visit her sister at the theater and hold Velda on her lap.

A Studio wanted Velda as the next Shirley Temple. Her father felt that was not the life he wanted for his daughter and they moved shortly thereafter.

Velda has lived in California, Oklahoma, Oregon and Arizona. As a toddler, while living in Oklahoma, her sister, just a year older than her, passed away. Through her entire life, she felt close to the only sister she would have. She was thankful for her sisters-in-law, as she always loved them as her sisters.

Velda's parents moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Grand Canyon College and started Rollins Nursery on 27th Avenue. There, at the local A.J. Bayless, she met her soul mate. Velda married Bill (Williams J. Rogers) on October 22, 1955.

Within six years of marriage, they were the proud parents of four children: Shelia, Virginia, Billy, and Kennith.

In 1964 Bill got a job at the paper mill and the family moved to Taylor, Arizona. They became very active in building the Our Lady of the Snow parish. In the 1960s she taught 4H classes on rabbits and sewing. In the 1970s she enjoyed preserving the family genealogy. Bill had been adopted and wanted to know his family. She found them and a loving relationship soon began with them.

In 1980 Velda started the Sacred Heart Thrift Store on Main Street in Snowflake. She also volunteered for Catholic Charities with her daughter, Shelia, for nearly ten years.

Bill approached Velda in 1984 and asked her what she thought about him becoming a Deacon. Her heart was ecstatic. As a child, she had always dreamed of being a preacher's wife. When she converted to the Catholic Church and married Bill, she had put aside those dreams, but now they had become a reality.

From March 1990, until her death, she promoted the Chaplet of Light, a mission that was one with her heart.

Since then, she has taken care of her mother and father. She also lovingly cared for her husband, Bill, until his death in 2014, from Alzheimer's. After his death proceeds from her rag rugs, placemats, and potholders have been given to Special Olympics. Her baby blankets were donated for babies born with Down's Syndrome, through an organization in the Phoenix area.

She is survived by her children: Shelia Towell, Virginia (Bill) Crossman, Billy (Donna) Rogers, Kennith (Judy) Rogers; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and

8 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Dee, Neil, Sissy, and younger brother, Ernie (her little shadow); and grandson, Willie (William Rogers III).

She has left a legacy of devotion to God first, modesty, moderation in all things, genealogy, gardening, thankfulness in all things, but especially to her Catholic faith.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church, 1655 S. Main St., Snowflake, Arizona. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 16th at the same location, at 11:00 a.m.