Evelyn Bennett Rogers

Dr. Evelyn Bennett Rogers departed this life on Friday, December 16, 2016 at her home in Chicago, Illinois. Evelyn Bennett Rogers was born on August 24, 1967 in Annapolis, Maryland to Earthel & Faye Bennett. Being born the youngest, she had two older sisters, Ramona and Alicia. The family later relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

While attending Southern A&M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she met Eric Turner. They married in 1990. To this union, they bore one child, Erica Lynne Turner. They were known for their Halloween and themed parties. Although the pair later divorced, they remained very good friends. Evelyn then met Dr. Paul Rogers through their shared love for Social Work. The duo were married in 2002. Together, they traveled across the country in their RV, attended black-tie events, and indulged in fine culture. They remained married until his death in 2009. Recently, Evelyn had found love again. In 2015, she began dating Levelle Johnson. At the time of her death, the two were newly engaged and happily making plans for their future.

Evelyn had a deep passion for education. She graduated from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City in 1985. Evelyn received her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from Southern University of New Orleans in 1991 & 1996, respectively. She concluded her educational journey by receiving her Doctorate in Theology (Christian Counseling) from Louisiana Baptist University in 2008.

Evelyn's professional career was just as impressive as her educational background. In 1989, she began a seventeen-year partnership with Methodist Home for Children, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although she began her social work career as a Residential Counselor, Evelyn quickly rose up the ranks in the Foster Care program to become a Case Manager, then finally a Director of Foster Care at the tender age of 23. She held the position until she relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 2006.

When she arrived in Chicago, Evelyn decided to switch careers. In 2006, she became employed with the Social Security Administration starting her career as a Claims Authorizer. She joined the Financial Management Team in 2009, occupying the position of Management Analyst. At the time of her death, Evelyn held the position of a department Team Leader, which she effectively had held since 2014.

Evelyn had a deep love for the New Orleans' culture. While living in New Orleans, she was a member in the Krewe of Ashanti in 1993. She later would join the Krewe of Zulu Big Shot for over ten years. She enjoyed cooking, hosting lavish parties and making exquisite crafts to give to her family and friends. She was infamously known for her German Chocolate Cake.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, Earthel Bennett, her husband, Dr. Paul Rogers, and her niece, Karenthia Offer. She is survived by her daughter, Erica Turner-Bailey (Clarence) of Chicago, Illinois, her mother, Faye Bennett, her sisters Ramona McKinley (Roosevelt) and Alicia Offer, all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, her fiancé, Levelle Johnson, and her best friend Horace Price Lewis, Jr., both of Chicago, Illinois.

Evelyn, affectionately known as "Lynn","Evvie", & "Scooter", is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins, in-laws, friends, and coworkers that will miss her dearly.