Gwendolyn Rodgers

Gwendolyn was born on July 4, 1935, in Union, South Carolina to the late Israel and Lille Mae Gist. She was one of seven siblings and was preceded in death by sisters, Clearnest, Mamie, Juanella, Clara and brother, John Earl. 

She met her husband, James Luke Rodgers, as he was working on the family land cutting pulp wood. He took a liking to her, courted her, and on July 22, 1954, this country girl married the guy from uptown. They moved to Cincinnati in search of opportunities for a better life for themselves and their children to come. Four in all, Angela, Diane, Julia and the hoped for son being born in November 1967 — with Dad exclaiming, “I’ve got a baby boy”.

Life wasn’t always easy for her, growing up in the rural South, then traveling to a new home with few resources or people she knew. But this woman, who couldn’t finish school due to lack of transportation, possessed a spirit of determination and hope. Although not formally educated, she was an intelligent, well-read woman. She’d talk with you about world events, politics and watched the stock market to see what was going on with her investments. And of course, she would speak on the Word of God.

At the age of eight, she knew that her calling was to care for children and this became her passion for 40+ years. Her labor of love became consistent in 1968 when the family moved to Silverton. Granny, as she was fondly called by many, was devoted to each child and family that she cared for over the years. The children, and often their parents, were well fed with homemade meals. Due to the bonds created in love and appreciation, many of these relationships have continued to this day.

Gwendolyn gave her life to Christ in 1950 at the “Home” church, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Union, South Carolina.  She and the family united with Second Baptist Church of Rossmoyne (Ohio) in 1971, where she served faithfully in various roles including Deaconess, Choir member, Missionaries and Sunday School teacher. She loved her church family and they loved her too, celebrating her in April 2025 as the oldest living member and the oldest person in the church. It was a beautiful time that touched her deeply. 

Gwen loved the outdoors. She loved getting her hands in the dirt and watching things grow, sharing the produce with others. She loved to cook and was known for her delicious, legendary pound cake. She took great pride in caring for her home and family.

Having a passion for serving others, Gwen would go around to food pantries with her friend, Penny, then they shared these things with those in need. She served at Matthew 25 Ministries with her Peace Baptist Church family. She helped as one of the devotional leads with her Greater Liberty Baptist Church Satisfied Seniors family at monthly gatherings. Along with serving at her home church of Second Baptist Church Rossmoyne, she was an example of Kingdom Living — serving God and His people, wherever He sent her.

Gwen took excellent care of her health. For years she regularly went to the YMCA to work out and walked in her neighborhood. When her health prevented this, she would still walk around in her basement; nothing was going to keep her down — she was a determined woman. She’d say, “If I stop, then I will stop, so I don’t stop”. She just kept going and going.

Gwen had a grateful heart and was thankful for every blessing. From a check in the mail, to flowers delivered to brighten her home, a card, a phone call to check on her, to God showing her where her missing keys were. Always an acknowledgement of the goodness of God. Her heart attitude was cultivated by her faithfully reading her Bible and prayer to both start and then end her days. Hiding His word in her heart and praying without ceasing.

Gwendolyn Rodgers turned 90 years old on July 4, 2025!  We had a grand time celebrating with her on three separate occasions. Thank you, Columbus Family, for your special, grand celebration.  She would say each time, “I didn’t know so many people loved me”. We, her family, are grateful to God for allowing us to shower her with love and are thankful for each and every person who were at any of those occa-sions, stopped by, called her, sent a card, gave a gift or said a prayer. However you reached out to her, she truly felt the love and greatly appreciated each gift from your heart. We are so grateful for God’s blessing her in this special way before He brought His daughter home. She now has her Crown of Life.

Gwen leaves to honor and cherish her memory and legacy of love and faith in God: her daughters, Angela Moore, Diane (Edwin) Orr, Julia (James) Carpenter and son, James A. Rodgers; her grandchildren, Jason, Mychal, LaTasha, Faith, Teleisha, Trevor and Ian; 16 great-grandchildren, Jason, Jade, Jakobi, Amiyah, Santino, Santannah, San’Iah, Montea, Tarrence, Storm, Trenton, Emmanuel, EJ, Maiya, Eden, Aren, and one great-great-granddaughter, Jasonee; her beloved sister, Dorothy (Wallace) Cole; and a host of other relatives and friends. Also, the numerous honorary grandchildren (and their parents) who have shared her home and love. She was “Granny” to so many and fondly called Mrs. Rodgers, Mama Gwen, Mrs. Gwen or Mother Rodgers by others endeared to her.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING:

                  ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH

                  CITY GOSPEL MISSION OF CINCINNATI

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