Betty Rogers

Betty Rogers died November 13, 2023 at age 80 after her several year struggle with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Betty grew up Minnie Elizabeth Keech in Franklin, VA the middle of 3 children born to Grace Taylor Modlin and Ralph Donald Keech. She had a large and involved extended family, loved dance, music, and twirling Baton. After a long courtship, Betty married her high school sweetheart Davis Thomas Rogers (D.T. or “Turkey”) in 1964. VMI didn’t allow cadets to be married so Betty stayed in nearby Richmond studying business management. They married promptly after VMI commission and graduation. Betty and Davis Thomas lived and traveled to many places together and with their children, Mike, Barry, and Larisa. From little ‘ol Franklin and Courtland Betty and DT spread their wings to Germany, the Carolinas, TEXAS (“Everythings bigger in TX”), Saudi Arabia (you read that right), the Carolinas, Minnesota (You Betcha!), and the Carolinas. Again. Her children followed in her footsteps traveling and finally settling in MN, FL, and NC. Betty loved telling stories of all her adventures. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Brenda and Donnie, her true love, and her nephew Kevin. Betty was married 51 years to Davis when he lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was loving and adored her family. Her children were fortunate to have her near when the grandchildren were small. Betty doted on them and took care of them all in one way or another whether it was regularly or on weekend visits. She knew each of her grandchildren and great grands, would light up talking about how they were as babies, and loved to celebrate all their accomplishments. Adora, Michael, Abigail, Russell, John Davis, Ella, Delora (great), Freya (great), and little man Anson. Betty was a jokester and she teased everyone good-heartedly. You could always count on Betty for a hug, an “I love you”, or a “Hey shug!” (is that how you shorten “sugar”?). She could curse you with a smile on her face and not a single 4 letter word! Just like a true Southern lady. Whatever you did, you wouldn’t do THAT again. She loved, she was loved, and she only ever wanted her loved ones to be happy.

In recent years Betty lived in a wonderful Memory Care and Nursing Home with attentive and understanding caregivers. Once there, she was happy most days and felt safe. She was often giggling and trying to tell her stories about her life. When asked how she was doing she often responded "mean as ever!" with a wink, and a grin, and that Tidewater accent. Almost to her final days she kept her laugh, a blush and a sweet “thank you” if you told her she was beautiful or it was nice to see her. And, the cutest wide-eyed surprise with any news of her family.

Alzheimer’s and/or dementia is a difficult disease for those suffering from it and for their loved ones. However, there were silver linings. We all got to know Betty a little as Betty instead of as Mom. There were moments when she was in another place in time where you might be a close friend, or her sister/brother, instead of her child. Either way, she knew each of us were special to her. We’d get a little peek into who Betty (don't call her Minnie!) might have been before married with kids. She'd do anything she could for you and had always been a bit mischievous, and a hoot! Remarkably, there were days when you might still catch her dancing a little jitterbug or later tapping her feet if the right song came on!

We know she is somewhere watching over us, whispering what we need, high steppin', twirling, cutting up, and dancing with her one true love. Goodbye for now Mom, Betty, Aunt Bet, we love you!

No immediate services are planned. There will be a celebration of life and spreading of ashes in the near future when her children and their families can travel to come together in Nags Heads as she wished.

Memorial donations can be made to the Grace Ridge Employee Christmas Fund in support of Betty's caring nurses and staff at Grace Ridge Retirement Community, Attn: Danielle/GR Staff Christmas Fund, 500 Lenoir Road Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.