Opal Rodgers

Opal J. Rodgers, 87, of Gordonville passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 11, 1923, in Bernie, Mo., daughter of Walter and Lelia Smith Howell. She and Carlton "Buck" Rodgers were married Dec. 30, 1941, in Bernie. He passed away Oct. 17, 1993.

After graduating from Bernie High School she attended Southeast Missouri State University. She taught school in rural Stoddard County several years, then worked for Bernie MFA Grain Elevator as a bookkeeper, and later transferred to Jackson MFA as office manager and bookkeeper. She went to work for the Missouri Division of Employment Security in 1975, retiring in 1989. Rodgers was a faithful member of Church of the Nazarene in Jackson.

Loving survivors include a son, Don (Linda) Rodgers of Gordonville; a daughter, Marilyn Rodgers (special friend John Chapman) of Gordonville; a sister, Mary Davis of Dexter, Mo.; five grandchildren, Angie (Stephen) McConkey, Michelle Nunnally, Cindy (Matt) Jansen, Jennifer (Kyle) Maevers and Donnie Rodgers Jr.; and nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband of 52 years, she was preceded in death by three brothers and six sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and after 9 a.m. Friday at Church of the Nazarene in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Ken Harper officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may be made to the Church of the Nazarene in Jackson.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.