Glenda Kathleen Rogers

Glenda Kathleen Grantham Rogers was born in Whitt, Texas on October 21, 1934 to Flora May (Fletcher) and Charles Oscar Grantham. Her father died in April 1936. Kathy and her mother, pregnant with brother Calvin, moved in with her mother's family in Whitt during the Depression. Her mother later married Marvin Truelock in Southland, Texas. Kathy and Calvin attended school in Southland where she played basketball and volleyball. Her mother died in November 1949 and the children moved to Galveston, Texas to live with an Uncle Fred and Aunt Ginny Fletcher. Kathy graduated from Ball High School in 1952. She then moved to Tyler, Texas to assist in taking care of her Fletcher grandparents and attend Tyler Junior College.

Kathy married Dexta Rogers at East Tyler Baptist Church on April 11, 1954. On their honeymoon they went to San Antonio. Their first home was an apartment in Tyler, but they soon built a house outside of town. During the next 6 years, they were blessed with three children: Ronald Wayne, Patricia Ellen and Rebecca Lynn.

Dex worked for Gulf Oil. He was transferred from Tyler to Port Arthur, Texas. During this time, Glenda attended Lamar University part-time. They were later transferred to Kismet, Kansas and then to Cushing, Oklahoma. While in Cushing, Glenda took some classes at Oklahoma State UNiversity - including her first art classes. During these years, they took the family on vacation trips to see much of the MIdwest United States and to visit relatives. In 1973, Dex was transferred to south Louisiana where they lived in Galliano and then to Larose. When he retired in 1988, they returned to remodel and expand the home they had built in Tyler.

Kathy loved her Lord and Savior above all else. She played piano and organ in church all her life. Kathy even took up pitching in the church softball league in her 50s! She loved to share the message of the gospel in many ways, serving in Vacation Bible School, teaching Sunday School, working at the church camp, and giving "chalk talks" using her talent as an artist.

Family was very important to Kathy. She was a very active "stay-at-home" mom, even started a Girl Scout Troop in Cushing for her daughters. She loved having grandchildren - and great grandchildren. She was known as Mamaw and she took them camping, fishing and hiking in nature, lead them in painting and small sewing projects, and always enjoyed trips to the Tyler Zoo and Rose Garden and to church with them. In later years, she let her grandchildren help draw in bits of the chalk picture while she told the Christmas or Easter story;; she loved sharing Jesus with them and loved seeing their faces when the blacklight revealed the "rest" of the picture.

If you knew Kathy, you knew she was an artist. She could not help doodling on the paper by the phone and had art supplies in her car to be ready for any occasion. Her home was filled with artwork, including a mural she painted of a Louisiana swamp in one of the bedrooms. She started taking art classes while in Cushing and continued to learn in Larose and Tyler, joining the local art clubs and sending entries to the fair each year, even encouraging her grandchildren to participate as well.

Dex and Kathy were ham radio operators (K5HUC and K5IHF respectively). Dex built and maintained their radio setup and they both communicated around the world and with local friends. Kathy was an active member of TYLRUN (Texas Young ladies Round Up Network) for over three decades.

Cooking was one of the ways Kathy showed love to her family and friends. She produced thousands of delicious meals and picnics. Canning and freezing vegetables from her garden and fruit from her trees was a major pastime. She loved to try new recipes. "Her one nemesis...burning the bread."

A big thank you to all the staff at The Hamptons Memory Care where Kathy spent her last two and a half years. They showed their love for her through their care.

Kathy Rogers was a lovely Christian woman who will be missed by all who knew her.

Glenda Kathleen Grantham Rogers is survived by her daughter Patti Johnson and husband David, her son-in-law Mark Burt, her daughter-in-law Claire Rogers, grandchildren Denae (Scott) Johnson Albin, Joe (Beth) Rogers, Allison (Preston) Rogers Harrell, Kent (Megan) Burt, and Katrice (Kanen) Johnson Smith, and great-grandchildren Joshua Albin, Kara Albin, Audrey Rogers, Hudson Albin and Colin Rogers, and three beloved nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of thirty-eight years Dexta Rogers, her daughter Rebecca Burt, her son Ron Rogers, her younger brother Calvin Grantham, and her sisters-in-law Margi Grantham and Ola Mae Grantham.

Funeral services are being handled by Lloyd James Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Tyland Baptist Church in Tyler on Saturday, August 10 at 10am, followed by the service at 11am. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery immediately after the service.

Contributions in Kathy's memory may be made to:

Tyland Baptist Church

2818 Silvercreek Dr.

Tyler, TX 75702