Annie Merle Rogers also known as "Mama Merle" was born on Oct. 16, 1936 in Avinger, Texas to the union of Annie Peppers and Reverend John Henry Brannon of Hughes Springs, Texas. She was the eighth child born out of 10 children, and her parents earned a modest living as farmers on the Brannon farm. Merle's family were devoted lifetime members of Love Chapel Church of Hughes Springs, Texas where she accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. She attended Love Chapel Elementary School, and at age 13, she was the youngest player on the girls basketball team. Next, she attended Traylor High School where she was athletic in sports, achieved the honor of Miss Traylor High and graduated one year early. She left Hughes Springs to attend Prairie View and Pan American College in Texas where she earned her bachelor's degree in education. After returning to Hughes Springs, she was employed as a Teacher and basketball coach for the girl's basketball team at Traylor High. During college, she met her future husband at a skating rink while he was stationed at Harlingen, Texas Air Force Base and to this union three children, Karen, Kenneth, and Keith were born. Her family relocated to Arizona where she taught 7th and 8th grade history at Julian School located in the Phoenix Roosevelt District. While teaching, she earned her Masters degree in education. She was a long time, devoted member of Morning Star Baptist Church located in Avondale, Arizona where she continued to cherish her family and her faith in God. Preceding her in death are her parents, her husband, Vencil, her son Kenneth, her brothers, Alvin, Harel, Melvin and Johnny Brannon and her sisters Zelda Weatherall, Doshie Clark and Bessie Faye Goode. She is survived by her two sisters, Mary Jean Winters of Vancouver, Washington, Doris Cumby of Greenville, South Carolina, one daughter, Karen Rogers and one son, Keith Rogers, five Grandchildren, Monique Landrum and Taryn Raines of Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, Khiya, Kaden and Kelton Rogers of Phoenix, Arizona, Great grandchildren, Azjuri and XiAndre Ward of Tucson Arizona and a host of special nephews, nieces, extended family members and close friends.
