Jane Childress Rodgers

She saw the dawning of many things in her lifetime: Lindberg’s transatlantic flight, the coronation of 5 British monarchs, passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, the Great Depression, 2 World Wars, the first man on the moon, the fall of the Berlin Wall, discovery of the Polio vaccine and many more historical events. Mrs Rodgers and her family survived 2 world pandemics.

Jane graduated from Phillips High School and Massey Business College. She married her sweetheart, William Melville Rodgers, Sr. on June 12, 1937 at 35th Avenue Baptist Church. Together, they raised three children in a Christian home filled with love and faith. She was the Secretary and Treasurer for the family business, Lee Rodgers Tire Co, for over 50 years. Jane was a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church where she taught 9 year old girls for many years then graduated to teach the “most senior” ladies of the the church. At the time of her passing she was held the distinction of being the longest living member of the Dawson Church family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Melville Rodgers, Sr.; sons-in-law, William Caswell Scott, III and Robert Wayland Painter; parents, Edwin Turner Childress and Etna Platowsky Childress; 2 sisters, and a brother. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Elizabeth Rodgers Painter, William “Bill” Melville Rodgers, Jr. (Jeannie); and Virginia Rodgers Scott; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild on the way.

A graveside celebration of Jane’s life will be on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 10 am at Birmingham’s historic Elmwood Cemetery. All attendees are asked to meet at Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home, 800 Dennison Avenue SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35211, no later than 9:50 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Jane’s memory to Dawson Memorial Church or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Rocky Ridge Senior Living Community and the Angels of Mercy for their loving and tender care during her time there: Vickey, Terry, and others from New Beacon Southern Care Hospice. Our Mother loved all of you very much.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Rodgers family.