Patricia Rogers

Patricia Rogers passed away peacefully on April 14, 2015 at the age of 81 in Chattanooga, TN. Patricia was beloved wife of Gene Rogers for nearly 54 years – April 15th would have marked their 54 year wedding anniversary. Patricia was the loving and devoted mother of three children. She is survived by Paul W. Rogers, Scott T. Rogers and his wife, Suzanne Rogers and Alison P. Rogers-McCoy and her husband, Mark McCoy. She is survived by four beautiful grandchildren, Seth Rogers, Caleb Rogers, Remy McCoy and Riley Finn McCoy. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Griffiths and several nieces and nephews scattered across the US, UK and Australia including Lucinda Reeves, Michael Downs, Jeremey Griffiths, Waleska Franca Griffiths, Brynley Griffiths, Caroline Griffiths and Robert Downs. She is survived by many beautiful grand nieces and nephews whom she adored including Johnathan Griffiths, Laurence Griffiths, Gemma Griffiths, James Griffiths, Brynley Griffiths Jr., Charlotte Griffiths and Clarice Downs.

Patricia led an extraordinary and adventurous life spanning two continents. Born in London, England in 1933, one of her most vivid memories as a child was surviving the London blitz during WWII. Patricia had a flair for the arts and at an early age she pursued both dance and theatre in London. She studied ballet and dramatic art at the Corona Academy from 1947-1952. During this time she won a scholarship to the Vic Wells ballet school. Patricia’s dancing credits included roles in Trottie True, Finian’s Rainbow, Red Riding Hood, Wonderful Copenhagen, and The Red Shoes.

In 1954, Patricia auditioned for and was accepted into the Old Vic Theatre School in London where she studied Shakespeare. She joined the Old Vic Repertory Company on a tour to Africa and later England in a repertoire of plays which included A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and The Merchant of Venice under the direction of Tyrone Guthrie and Ian Hunt of the Old Vic Trust.

Patricia’s film credits included The Root of all Evil, The First Gentleman, The Lost People, and The Blue Lagoon. She also appeared in two long running musicals Panama Hatty and Annie Get Your Gun. It was while appearing in Annie Get Your Gun, as Nelly Oakley, that Patricia performed at the London Palladium in two Royal Command Performances.

Patricia moved to the United States in the late 1950’s where she worked for the British Embassy in Washington, DC for several years. It was here that she met her beloved husband, Gene. After a whirlwind courtship in 1960, Patricia and Gene were married on April 15, 1961 at Christ Church in Georgetown. They eventually settled in Bethesda, Maryland and it is here they lived, worked and raised their three children from the late 60’s through 80’s. Patricia was fondly known by her children during these years as “half price Rogers” because it was a time of pinching pennies with three children in private schools and saving for college. During this time, Patricia “reinvented” herself becoming a ballet instructor for young girls and boys in the community and later pursuing floral design and cosmetology as a representative for Chanel cosmetics for several years.

In 1988 Patricia and Gene moved to Chattanooga, TN following Gene’s retirement. Patricia embraced the generous southern hospitality and lifestyle and quickly made friends and established roots – she and Gene attended services at Rivermont Presbyterian Church. It was during this time that Patricia had a spiritual awakening, embracing her Christian faith and getting involved in Stephen Ministries where she volunteered her time to those in need. Many in the Chattanooga community will remember Patricia for her grace, wit and generosity -- and her distinct English accent which she never lost despite living in the United States for almost 60 years. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 1990’s that she became a naturalized US Citizen. This was a point of much teasing amongst her family.

It was Patricia’s wish to be cremated and her ashes scattered in the Thames River in London, England. Visiting hours and a memorial service will be held at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153, Hixon, TN 37343

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 25 from 3-4 pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home-North Chapel

A Celebration of life service will be conducted 4 pm on Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Lina Hart of Rivermont Presbyterian Church officiating

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com