Nelda Ann Rogers

Nelda Ann (Preston) Rogers passed away on Monday, January 8, 2024, at Friendship Village of Sunset Hills, MO.  Nelda was born in Carrollton, MO, to Roy Lee and Lola May (Murray) Preston on April 4, 1933.  She was the youngest of eight children, all of whom preceded her in death.  She is survived by her husband, Gerald Martin Rogers, and their four children: Gail L. (Stephen) Farris, Dee L. (Brian) Stuffflebam, David P. (Jan) Rogers, and Daniel M. (Monica) Rogers.  She is also survived by 13 treasured grandchildren: Stephanie Farris, Alison Clifton, Garrett (Jennie) Rogers, Graham (Jodi) Rogers, Abby (Max) Meyers, Molly (David) Duncan, Blake (Janine) Rogers, Sam (Catherine) Stufflebam, Susie M. Stufflebam, Victoria (Martin) Becktol, Collin (Rachel) Rogers, Lucas Rogers, and Kali Rogers; and 22 beloved great-grandchildren.   

After graduating from high school in Carrollton, Nelda moved to Kansas City, MO, to earn a diploma as a Registered Nurse from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing.  While completing a clinical rotation in St. Louis, Nelda met the love of her life, Gerald (“Jerry”) Rogers.  Soon after graduating in 1954, they were married and lived all 69 years of their marriage in St. Louis.  

Nelda worked for a short time at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis before dedicating herself and her time to raising their four children.  In the mid-1970s, Nelda began school nursing with the Mehlville School District and served the high school and several elementary schools before retiring in the mid-1980s.  Nelda loved school nursing and the relationships she made with the other school nurses, teachers, students and their parents.  Many of those friendships continued throughout her life.  

In addition to Jerry and Nelda being active in their children’s schools, numerous sporting and music activities, and scouting programs, their home was always open to their children’s friends and the site of many gatherings and meals.  Nelda always had time to listen and was a second “Mom” to many teens over the years.  

Nelda and Jerry were active members of Southwest Baptist Church, Mehlville Baptist Church, Concord Church, and most recently South County Baptist Church.  They were involved in, and volunteered in many areas.  Nelda sang in the choir, taught children of all ages in Vacation Bible School and Sunday School for over 50 years, led many youth activities, and led women’s Bible studies.  She was an active member and leader in Bible Study Fellowship for over 15 years and volunteered weekly with Feed My People for several years.    

In addition to vacationing and boating with their children, extended family, and friends, Jerry and Nelda enjoyed playing Bridge and Pinochle for 30+ years with friends, entertaining in their home, attending St. Louis Cardinals Football games, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball games, and theater events, especially the St. Louis Muny.  Nelda also loved gardening and loved to share her beautiful flowers and gardens with friends.  

Nelda will be most remembered for her devotion to her family.  She was dearly loved by her grandchildren who have years of memories of playing in the basement that Grandma & Grandpa made into a giant playroom.  She and Jerry seldom missed any of their sporting events, band & choir concerts, dance recitals, or band competitions. They spent many hours chauffeuring grandchildren to and from school, music lessons, dance classes, and sporting practices and events; always stepping-in to help out their family and spend time with them.  They traveled far and wide to visit grandchildren while each attended college, and Nelda wrote weekly letters (and enclosed $5) to each of her grandchildren while each attended college.  As their grandchildren began having children of their own, they became doting great-grandparents.  The 50+ members of “The (Gerald and Nelda) Rogers Family” were blessed to have many years of celebrations, activities, trips, and reunions with four generations present.  

Jerry and Nelda moved to Friendship Village (Sunset Hills) in 2019.  There they made many new friends and became reacquainted with friends from their earlier life.  Nelda loved, and was loved by, the staff and care-givers at Friendship Village.  She was a great listener and became friends with all.  She loved to learn of their lives, hear about their children and interests, and always had a smile.  The Rogers family will always be grateful for the wonderful kindness, care, friendship, and love that the Friendship Village staff has shown to Nelda and Gerald over these past few years.  

Nelda’s love for Jesus, faith in God, and passion for studying God’s Word were central to her life and radiated through her daily living. She lived every day to glorify and serve God, live according to God’s Word, and to love others.  She will be greatly missed, but we rejoice that she is in her eternal home with her Savior and Lord, and we will see her again!   

Nelda’s visitation will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at South County Baptist Church, 12995 Tesson Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral Service will begin at noon.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:

            “Feed My People” 171 Kingston Dr., St. Louis, MO  63125 

                                        OR

            South County Baptist Church, 12995 Tesson Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO  63128