Rosa Lee Palmer Rogers was born on July 26, 1919, to the marital union of Moss L. and Mary Cokley-Palmer in the Knox Swamp community of Hemingway, SC. She entered into eternal rest on August 31, 2025.

Rosa enjoyed a close-knit upbringing with her parents and siblings on their family farm. It was during this time that she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined the Hopewell African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served as an usher. Additionally, she attended the former Hopewell School.

On December 15, 1936, Rosa joined in holy matrimony with Lucius Rogers. Upon marrying, Rosa became an active member of Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served as a stewardess. Years later, she received a divine visitation that led her to the House of God, Keith Dominion, in Hemingway, SC, under the leadership of Elder Felix Pendergrass. With the    blessing of her husband, Rosa went on to join and serve the House of God–Hemingway in various capacities, including as a member of the senior choir, for more than forty years. Longing to worship with her children, Rosa returned to Jerusalem in her latter years, but she could often be seen visiting all three    churches with her granddaughter, as they all held prominent and special places in her heart. An announcement was never needed—you knew when she was there.

Aside from church, Rosa was a very active gardener, known throughout the   community for her prized crop of sweet potatoes—which she did not hesitate to share with any passersby. It was through this garden that she fed family, friends, and oftentimes strangers a myriad of delectable soul food delicacies. Her children were particularly fond of her pound cakes, buttermilk biscuits, and cornbread dressing and gravy.

In addition to being employed by Georgetown County School District Nutrition Services, Rosa was renowned for her impressive attention to domestic details and worked with many local families to manage the daily ins and outs of their households while acting as a surrogate mother for countless children in the process. One of those children she was especially proud of was Mrs. Anne       Ballinger. It is through these and countless other endearing qualities that she earned the title of “Momma,” not only to her offspring but to people of varying races, religions, creeds, and backgrounds altogether. Her maternal qualities  transcended all boundaries.

We take comfort in knowing that she will join her husband as well as all of her children in eternity: Nathaniel, James William, Jessie Mae (Wardell), Louis, Jay Floyd, and Michael Lee, as well as two great-grandsons, Tony Gillyard and Dominique Patterson. In addition, her parents, as well as eight of her nine siblings and their spouses, Allen (Pauline), James (Elizabeth), Annie (John),  Essie (Amos), Lawrence (Arlena), John, Joseph (Corine), and Elise (Isaiah), preceded her in death.

She will live on for centuries more through the love of her beloved baby sister, Florence Palmer Moyd; cherished granddaughter and faithful caregiver, Sheral Patterson, Jennifer Rogers and Wardell (Sabrina) Patterson her grandchildren she lovingly reared in her home; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will forever cherish her memory. She was also deeply blessed by the love and support of two special people, Elder   Carletta Johnson and Carolyn Nesmith, who held a cherished place in her life.

Her love and legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.