Barbara Tarte Rogers

Barbara Tarte Rogers, of Cary, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, December 18, 2025.

Barbara made Cary her home for over 75 years after having moved here from Cabarrus County as a young girl. She and her husband James William “Billy” Rogers owned and operated Rogers Retaurant in Cary from 1966-1991. Their passion for serving others extended well beyond the dining room, including providing transitional housing through 2018 via a small motel and apartments.

A cheerleader at Cary High School in the 1950’s, Barbara’s love for CHS and athletics lasted for a lifetime. Barbara and Billy were married after attending Cary High school. She began her career at the former Raleigh Savings and Loan.

In 1966, Barbara and Billy purchased Rogers Restaurant from Billy’s father, Lem Rogers, who opened the restaurant in 1954. At a time when there was only a hand full of restaurants in town, Rogers Restaurant became a true small town gathering place- hosting civic clubs, political events, wedding rehearsal dinners and CHS pre-game meals.

Generations of families returned again and again and many became lifelong friends. Catering pig-pickings for friends, businesses and even candidates for governor is a proud part of their legacy. The developers who planned and the builders who built Russel Hills, the Kildaire Farm Road neighborhoods and MacGregor Downs often started their day at Rogers Restaurant in the mornings or came by for lunch.

Barbara was especially known for her homemade desserts. Even after the restaurant closed she continued to make cheesecakes, pies and cakes for friends and loyal customers. As Billy once said in an interview for the Cary Citizen, after Barbara baked 96 pies for Thanksgiving, she finally quit.

Barbara and Billy’s happy place was Emerald Isle, NC, where they were property owners from the 1970’s through today. They also loved traveling and supporting ECU football games- home and away. Barbara’s country ham biscuits and pimento cheese sandwiches, on the road and at tailgates, were the favorites for all lucky enough to have them.

The family would like to express appreciation to Preston Pointe Retirement Community where Barbara enjoyed independent living in recent years. Hands Of Compassion Angels were also helpful during this time. A special word of thanks from our family to Catherine and Judy for their loving care. Heartland Hospice has been wonderful as well. In Barbara’s final two months, she was in assisted living in Cary.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Olga T. “Pat” Burns and Mack Burns and by her loving husband and best friend of more than 62 years, Billy Rogers.

She is survived by her sons Mike Rogers (Janet) of Cary and Jim Rogers (Donna Fischer) of Emerald Isle; 2 grandchildren, Kyle Rogers of Cary and Kristi Haddock (Drew) of Apex; two great grandsons, Rhett and Brody Haddock of Apex; one great-granddaughter Avery Haddock of Apex; her sister Becky Kirkman of Archdale, NC; brothers Kenny Burns (Georgeanna) of Brandon, Florida and Jimmy Burns of Cary; as well as many loving nieces and nephews and a very special sister-in-law, Doris Lindsay of Clayton.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10:30 am at Hillcrest Cemetery, 608 Page Street, Cary, NC 27511.

All friends and family are welcome to attend. Please join us for a visitation and gathering to follow, from 11:30 until 1:00 for a catered lunch at The Montague Lake Pavillion, 10301 Penny Road, Raleigh NC 27606. We will honor Barbara by serving some of the favorite southern cooking so many enjoyed over the years at the former Rogers Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution(s) to Barbara’s favorites: Cary High School IMP Club, Attn Ryan Rodgers, PO Box 1202, Cary, NC 27512; or Neighbor Up, (formerly Dorcas Ministries) 187 High House Road, Cary, NC 27511, neighborup.org. Please specify your donation towards feeding those in need; or The Carying Place, PO Box 622, Cary, NC 27512 thecaryingplace.org.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Rogers family.