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In memory of

Carnell Rogers

Richmond, California

November 25, 1915 - March 21, 2018

Nov 25, 1915 - Mar 21, 2018

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Carnell Rogers was the second of eleven children born to Harrison and Alberta Heard on November 25, 1915 in Lauderdale, Mississippi. The family lived in a house set on 480 acres of land owned by Grandpa Alex Heard, purchased from a slave master, Mr. Childes in 1865 shortly after the emancipation of slaves. The family grew gardens, crops of corn and cotton, and housed livestock. This is where Carnell developed her impressive gardening skills.

Carnell attended Shiloh Middle School in Lauderdale. She walked 3 miles one way to both her school and church, Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she remained a longtime member.

Between 1935 and 1939, Carnell gave birth to three children: Alice, and twins, Mary and Martha. In 1940 she moved to St. Louis and in 1945 joined her sister, Jethro in Richmond, California where she settled and begin working to support her family. Carnell met Johnny Rogers and married for 15 years until he passed away in 1968.

Carnell became very active in her community, church, and participated in many enriching activities earning numerous awards, certifications, and recognition from various organizations and groups. She traveled to many places exploring the world including touring Germany, the Dead the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem and the Jordan River. She was a “Master” gardener that clearly reflected in her crops, which she eagerly shared with friends, families, and strangers.

Carnell was a remarkable human being and impressed many with her wit, wisdom, strength, courage, energy, insight, integrity, and creativity. She spoke softly, yet firm and straightforward. Her mind was razor sharp at a ripe age of 102! She touched many with her kindness. She was admired and highly respected by her church, honored by her community, and overall those she encountered found her to be truly AMAZING! Many will miss her presence.

Carnell leaves behind to cherish her memory and legacy daughter, Mary Devers, sisters, Laura Washington and Alberta Chaney; brother, Bishop Timothy Heard; grandchildren: Romond Reynolds, Marvette Simmons, Pam Reynolds, Tony Devers, Michelle Devers, Ricky Devers, Pamela Griffin, William Davenport, Angela Ikezoe, Claudia Harris, Claude Harris Jr., Alicia Harris. She was preceded in death by husband, Johnny Rogers; daughters, Martha Reynolds and Alice Ruth Gill; sisters, Jethro French Roe, Cleo; and brothers, Asriah Heard Sr., Eddie Heard and John Heard. She also leaves behind many great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended families.

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