Jean B. Rogers

Jean Borcherding Rogers, 97, went to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 8. Jean was born in El Paso to Claude and Helen Borcherding. The oldest girl and second of three children, she moved with her mother and younger sister, Jo Ann, to Houston in 1943. Following graduation from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1946, the same year she joined Second Baptist Church, Jean enrolled at the University of Houston. She was a member of Beta Chi sorority and editor of the 1951 Houstonian Yearbook while earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Jean also worked on The Cougar student newspaper staff. She wed Harry Rogers on St. Patrick’s Day, 1951, after a four-month courtship. Their great romance lasted 57 years until his death in 2008. Jean spent three decades as a teacher in Houston elementary schools at Looscan, Cunningham, and Richmond (McNamara) before retirement in 1986. She was a neighborhood institution in the Robindell subdivision; Jean and Harry purchased their home in 1955 and she remained there for 71 years. In retirement, Jean ramped up volunteer work in the prayer ministry at Second Baptist and served Houston Baptist University as a member of The Guild. She and Harry enjoyed extensive travel, both domestically and overseas. They also worked on projects and attended functions with alumni groups from their rival high schools, as he was a 1942 Milby graduate. When Harry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2001, Jean served as his lone caregiver for over six years. After his death, she continued her faithful walk with God, remaining active in Bible study and worship at Second Baptist until 2022. Then she followed along online. During the 2010s, Jean frequently traveled at sea with dear friends Betty Jo Williams and Dot Tate. Their cruising adventures took her to destinations via the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Trips to the Holy Land and Nova Scotia were Jean’s favorites. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harry, sister Jo Ann Anderson, and nephew Roy Borcherding. Jean is survived by son Matt Rogers and wife Jana of Houston; daughter Jan Salsky and husband Chuck of Houston; granddaughter Jill Rodgers and husband James of Anchorage, Alaska; grandson Tim Rogers and wife Sammy Jo of Humble; granddaughter Kate Salsky of Houston; and four great grandchildren: Jackson Rodgers, Rainor Rodgers, Eloise Rogers, and Magnolia Rogers. Other survivors include nephew Steve Borcherding (Carol) of Comfort; nephew Ted Borcherding (Gail) of San Antonio; nephew Nhon Pham (Rhonda) of Cedar Park; niece Melanie Hyde (Jim) of Houston; niece Jennifer Fadal (Ron) of Longview; and nephew Lucas Rogers (Kylee) of Wellington, Fla. A Celebration of Life service will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, November 20, in Hankamer Chapel on the campus of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston. Officiants are Rev. Wes Yeary and Rev. Josh Smith. Memorial contributions in Jean’s name may be made to Winning Walk Ministries, PO Box 76197, Fort Worth, 76161-6197.