Emma Sue Rogers

On January 14, 2021 at the age of 84 years, 10 months, and 16 days, in Fort Smith, Arkansas Emma Sue Rogers began her heavenly life. A vivacious woman who was always a straight shooter and often truthful to a fault, was born on February 29, 1936 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Opal Marie Cook and Merle Harmon Kee.

Lots of adjectives can be used to describe Sue and her life, both of which were deeply shaped from her battle with bipolar disorder. One could focus on the difficulty and heartbreak such a disease can bring when you are born between the Great Depression and World War II, a time when mental illness was rarely acknowledged or accepted. However, we choose to focus on the many great memories we all have of Sue and the positive characteristics that were her.

Through all of life’s ups and downs, Sue always remained very resilient, a fighter through it all. She was also a deeply spiritual person that was full of empathy and caring for those she saw as less fortunate than her. She was a great caregiver, having spent her final years of working providing in-home caregiver services.

There were lots of things that made Sue happy in life. She loved to sing, whether in front of a sink full of dishes or in the church choir. The woman loved to dance as well. She and best friend Irene, were on a first name basis with the managers of the Elks and Eagles Clubs. As much as she loved to cook; particularly if it was sweet, she loved to eat; especially if it was sweet! Sue also loved to get lost in a good book. She could spend hours, upon hours reading almost anything.

Emma Sue is survived by five children. Jim (Julia) Turic of Ozark MO; Jean Turic of Fort Smith AR; Michael Turic of Salt Lake City, UT, Charles (Denise) Turic of Highland Village TX, and Eric (Tomas) of West Hollywood CA, along with her favorite nephew, Jeremy (Chrisy) Dean of Fayetteville, AR, in addition to nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by all her husbands, Charles Turic, Julio Felix, and Jimmy Rogers; her mother, Opal Marie (Cook) Dean; stepfather, Taylor Ben Dean, father Merle H. Kee; her brother, Roy Dean; and sister-in-law, Paula Dean.

To all who were blessed to know her, she embodied strength, courage, and love. To truly know her, was to love her. Emma Sue, you will be missed.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 11:00 am at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, AR.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, PO Box 1724, Fort Smith, AR 72902.