Sue Verna Samuels-Rodgers was born on April 24th, 1931 to George and Sarah Samuels. She was the sixth of seven children raised in Newburg, Louisville-the oldest African American settlement in Jefferson County, Kentucky. She graduated from Central High School, then went on to become a home health aide, only leaving her job behind to do the one thing she loved most, which was to care for her children and family.
Growing up her childhood was carefree, love was the food fed upon through family, neighbors and friends. Her mother and fathers home was always a place of joy and love; it was the gathering place to listen to radio shows, to watch movies on George Jr’s16mm projector, or for a refreshing cool drink of well water after Sunday School. During her early years as a home health aide, she was able to follow her heart and put on display the one thing most people will always love and remember about her: her loveand care for others.
Her love for others was only superseded by her love for her children and family. Sue Verna was married on February 14th, 1955, to James E. Rodgers, and together they had seven children-Reba, James III, Vincent, Windell, Derwin, Delissa, and Glen. From her seven children, she had the pleasure of becoming a grandmother to 18 grandkids, and a great-grandmother to 27 great-grandkids, whom all would grow to love and adore her immensely. Much like the home she grew up in, her own home had become the place where holidays, and long summers with her children and grandchildren were spent; cookouts, 4th of July fireworks and birthdays were celebrated, where everyone and anyone was welcomed to come and enjoy good food, great company and experience her love. There was nothing she enjoyed more in her life then spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her siblings and their children. Her family was her joy, and her love was unconditional.
Sue Verna like her mother and sister never allowed her illness, nor any other circumstance to diminish her ability and desire to love and care for others. She always tried to find the positive, the light in everything and everyone. Sue Verna departed this life on Thursday March 4th, 2021. She leaves her children and family to cherish her memory and continue her legacy. Sue Verna was of the family of the pure of heart. We know her prayers were the same as her mother, father and siblings; which is for the unity and the success of her children. We are thankful for her generosity and profound love. The memories she has given her loved ones are immeasurable. While this is a profound loss for all who loved her, she was relieved to know that as much as she was loved here on earth, she was going home to continue to be surrounded by love from two of her children, Reba and James III, her mother Sarah, father George and siblings George Jr, Virgil, Clint, James, Lee Ana, and Nannie Elizabeth.
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