Mary Lee Rogers, 89, of High Springs passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday morning, July 21, 2022 after a long extended illness. She was born on April 4,1933 in Wilmington, NC. to the late Martin and Mamie Koen. At the age of fifteen she proudly wore the title of Miss Wrightsville Beach. When other women were staying home Mary paved the way for women to become business owners by owning and operating the Oleander Produce Market and the Oleander Seafood Market. Mary kept the home fires burning while her husband, Louis (Bill) Rogers proudly served in the Army. During her husbands military career, she moved the family of five children all over the country and Europe. After retirement they moved to High Springs, Florida in 1976. They owned and operated the well known country store The Pickle Barrel on highway 441 for several years before officially retiring to enjoy the family and travel. Mary and her husband enjoyed traveling and took trips to Germany, Italy, Greece and Japan as well as traveling to Alaska to visit family. In her spare time Mary enjoyed gardening and spending time with her husband, kids and grandkids. She was a extra mom/grandma to many of her kids/grandkids friends and at any given time her home was filled with laughter. Entertaining was her specialty and no one left hungry. She was famous for her sweet tea. Mary also loved shopping and never passed up a bargain. Thanks mom! Her favorite holiday was Christmas. The day after Thanksgiving the family would come together and work with her bringing wonderland to life. People from all over would drive by to see the displays of life size reindeer, Christmas trees, the carousel and Santa in his sleigh. She is survived by her children Charles (Danny) Todd (Peggy), Sue Kovras (Alex), Louis (Billy) Rogers Jr., Wayne Rogers (Patty). Several grandchildren, Tabatha Taylor, Charles (Danny) Todd Jr., Louis (Willie) Rogers Jr., Richard Olff (Jess), Joey Todd (Kris), Kyle Rogers, Ryan Rogers (Summer), Maria Kovras-Gonzalez (Jessi). Great grandchildren Koty Moore, Tristan Taylor, Rachel Taylor, Trinity Todd, Wyatt Todd, Gavin Olff, Sawyer Olff, Stella Rogers, Kenzie Rogers, Holden Rogers, Kaleb Rogers. She is survived by a sister Shirley Anglehart of NC., and brother Jesse Koen of High Springs. Also former daughter in law Maria Stuart of Fort White as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband of sixty years Louis (Bill) Rogers and her son Kenneth (Lee) Todd.
A Celebration of LIfe Service will be conducted on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel. A time of visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
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