Mark E. Rodgers

Mark Edward (Eddie) Rodgers of Florence, Texas, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife, on November 19, 2013. He was a God fearing man, compassionate at heart, and courageous in his daily struggle to combat a failing liver. He was born on June 12, 1945, the son of Cleo K. Rodgers and Alice Beth Roberts Rodgers Lee of Georgetown, Texas. He was a member of the Union Hall Baptist Church in Liberty Hill for fifty years before moving his letter to Lawler Baptist Church near Florence, Texas. Preceded in death were his parents and one sister, Lisa Gay Rodgers. Eddie leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Patty McWilliams Rodgers, and three daughters; ReGina Lyn Rodgers, Rissa Lee Person, husband Stacy Person, all of Florence, Sharla Beth Williams, husband SGM Michael C. Williams of El Paso; grandchildren, Lyndzey Lee Person, Peyton Lee Person, Tyler Wayne Crawford, Chandler Beth Crawford, Leah Marie Williams, Abigail Patricia Williams, Thomas Michael Williams and Amelia Katherine Williams. Also surviving Eddie are his favorite extended family members: Hud Adams, wife Kathy, and son Mason of Whitney, Texas, and Bobby Hawkins, Sr., wife Danita, and son Bobby Hawkins, Jr. of Florence, Texas. Eddie retired from HEB Food Stores as a meat cutter in the Georgetown area. After owning and operating convenience stores in Liberty Hill, he ran the utility services for the City of Florence, and read water meters for the City and Chisholm Trail S.U.D. He fulfilled his two dreams of building both a profitable cattle operation and a wildlife management ranch. After spending years erecting a high fence, he allowed many a friend and family member a chance to share in his joy of hunting. As his days on earth were shortened, he no longer hunted, enjoying instead the success of the many hunters that came through his ranch gates. Along with opening the gates to his ranch, he freely opened the doors to his home to military servicemen and their families who needed a place to stay between deployments. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown. A service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at 11:00AM at Lawler Baptist Church, 151 County Road 230, Florence, Texas, with Rev. Roy Smith officiating. There will be no graveside services as it was Eddie's wish to be cremated and have his ashes scattered on his home place, County Line Ranch in Bell/Burnet Counties. For those wishing to make donations, the family requests they be sent to Lawler Baptist Church, P O Box 685, Florence, Texas 76527. Personal words of comfort may be sent to the Rodgers family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.