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Deacon Raymond Alvin Rogers, Jr., was the first born son and the third child of a family of six siblings born to the marriage the Reverend Raymond Alvin Rogers, Sr., and Mother Mattie S. Watson-Rogers on December 20, 1958 in Port St. Joe, Florida. His kindhearted and generous personality to all people he met earned him the affectionately called name as a teenager “Dea” by his classmates, friends, and peers. Cradled in the arms of the Almighty God who makes no mistake, he transitioned from earth’s labor to his Heavenly reward on Friday, August 21, 2020 with his loving wife Amy by his side.
Christian Training/Public Education:
He was raised in a Christian home and baptized by his father who pastored Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Second Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and served as an assistant in the ministry at Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church. Inspired by his father and led by the Holy Spirit, Brother Raymond A. Rogers, Jr., Christian journey followed in his father’s footsteps. He was ordained a Deacon on December 16, 2006 by the Reverend Robert Pierson, Pastor of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church with his wife Amy at his side became his Deaconess. In the absence of the passing of his father, his father’s brother Deacon William Rogers, his mother’s brother Deacon Jeff Watson, and his beloved mother all by his side at this glorious ordination service. He was a devoted member and worked in many capacities in the church, and in his community whenever called upon. He was a faithful, dedicated, proud President of the church Usher Board, City-Wide Usher’s Union, Brotherhood, Concern Christian Society, NAACP, Knights of Pythias, Christmas Bag Committee, Hurricane Michael relief supplies, and feeding Gulf County food distribution. He received his formal education at Washington High/Elementary School, Port St. Joe Jr-Sr High School. He loved sports and was one of the greatest basketball players with a kind heart. He graduated in the Class of 1977. He furthered his education by enlisting in the U.S. Army and often enjoyed talking about his travel around the world. He received many certificates during his tour in the Army in the fields of auto mechanics, heavy equipment operator, maintenance, administration, communication, where upon successfully ending his military career with a honorable discharge.
Employment/Social Justice Career:
After his tour in the Army, “Dea” worked on various jobs that eventually advanced his career. He so proudly loved his job working for the City of Port St. Joe in the Warehouse Department. His tenacious thirst for knowledge, training, reading books and learning new skills on his job earned him the ability and confidence to train other workers; subsequently, he became the “Go-To” employee whenever other workers needed help on call-outs or during normal working hours. He was a caring, dependable, and dedicated person on his job. “Dea” turned his life around and lived a Christian life to the fullest extent. He had the privileged of living in many states within the United States as well as out of the United States. His life journey can be traced as an active community servant just like the Good Samaritan. He shared his time, knowledge, and experiences the best he could to help better the living conditions in our community. He was well-known as a proud community servant, a Deacon in his church at Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church, and too include surrounding neighboring counties for his great work in social justice and his generosity in helping others when in need.
A Life Well Remembered:
Deacon Raymond Rogers, Jr., married his 2nd grade 1966 sweetheart Amy Bailey on August 17, 2002. Together they raised three grandsons, and recently on Monday, August 17th, 2020 celebrated 17 years of marriage. He will leave a legacy of unforgettable memories. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Phyllis Alvina Rogers, and his brother, Christopher Rogers.
The Season of His Life Transitioned:
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose of duties, and far away from those who weep”. He quietly drew the curtain, waved good-bye and fell asleep. He has indeed left a legacy for generations to pass the torch and cherish his memories. His loving and devoted wife Amy and their grandsons he helped raised: Jadarien, Zydarien, Ardarien and their mom Angel; his previous marriage children: Ebony, Monica, of Waycross, GA, Katrina of Jacksonville, FL, Jerrod of Blackshear, GA, and eight grandchildren. His sisters: Deborah Rogers Fagg (Willie), Tallahassee, FL, Christine Rogers, Port St. Joe, FL; his brother, Joel Rogers, Panama City, FL; his nephew raised as a brother, Elder Paxton (Warnell) Rogers, Tallahassee, FL; his cousins raised as his uncles: Thomas (Eloise) Livingston, Dale, TX, and Dawud (Joanne) Ziyad, Glendale, MD; his uncle, Deacon William (Mary) Rogers, Enterprise, AL; his aunt, Earnestine Rogers-Harley, Enterprise, AL; his aunt, Jessie Watson-White, Panama City, FL, aunts-in-law Sarah Watson, Panama City, Fl and Blonnie Watson, Fayetteville, NC, sister-in-law Pearl Rogers, Headland, AL; mother-in-law: Christine Bailey-Colvin; aunt-in-law Colorado Bailey-Jones both of Port St. Joe, FL; sisters-in-law: Janice Phillips, Atlene Bailey, LaCheryl Bailey of Panama City, FL, and Catlene Bailey of Port St. Joe, FL; brothers-in-law Leonard (Karen) Bailey, Eugene (Maria) Bailey, Panama City, FL; and a host of additional grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many caring friends and neighbors.
“I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7
To My Husband
It broke my heart to lose you, You have left an empty space
The love we had together Cannot ever be replaced
I will never forget you,
All the happy times we shared
The joy you brought into my life
Can never be compared
You’re with me every moment
Now that we’re apart
Living on in precious memories
Like keepsakes in my heart
I miss you more than words can say,
My beautiful, wonderful Husband
Only time can heal my pain
You were the true love of my life.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Raymond Alvin "Dea" Rogers, Jr., please visit our floral store.