Alva Rodgers

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Alva Richard Rodgers, 89, of Advance was born July 17, 1918, at McGee, Mo., son of Jessie and Leota Payne Rodgers, and passed away March 1, 2008, at the Advance Nursing Center.

Alva retired after working for 60 years with the Carpenter Local 1770 in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Bright Prospect General Baptist Church, where he had been a Sunday school superintendent and song leader for 40 years. He was also a member of the Stoddard County Genealogy Association.

Alva and Wanda Lee Wills were united in marriage Oct. 20, 1950, at Piggott, Ark., and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include four sons, Gale Rodgers of Springfield, Ore., Rickie Rodgers and Marty Rodgers both of Advance, Randy Rodgers of Columbia, Mo.; two daughters, Ava Fowler of Advance and Janet Lukens of Herrin, Ill.; a brother, Paul Rodgers of O'Fallon, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his twin sister and a brother.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Bright Prospect General Baptist Church at McGee, with the Rev. Ray Placher and Cotus James officiating. Interment will be at McGee New Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Bright Prospect General Baptist Church.