Idell Lynette (Wilkerson) Rogers

Baxley Funeral Home announces the death, visitation, and celebration of life services for Mother Idell Wilkerson Rogers who departed this life on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Visitation services for Mother Rogers will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 5pm to 7pm at St. Matthews Baptist Church located at 808 Hundreds Rd in Baxley.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11am at First Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church located at 70 Pleasant Hill Church Rd in Baxley.

Obituary

Mother Idell Lynette Wilkerson Rogers first brought light into this world on Sunday, April 25, 1943, in Toombs County, Georgia, as the third oldest of seven children to the late Joe and Edna Wilkerson. One sister and two brothers preceded her in death: Elzina Bell, whom she affectionately called “Shug”, Maxwell Wilkerson, and Jessie Lee Wilkerson. She was also preceded in death by two great-grandchildren: Taylor Roberts and Malcolm Maxwell.

In her early years, she learned various skills that navigated multiple responsibilities that continued to serve her in her adult life. There was nothing more important to her than nurturing
her family. Idell attended Toombs County Schools before relocating with her family to Appling County where she later graduated from Appling County Consolidated School. Idell met a young fellow in Baxley, GA named Lucious Calvin Rogers. Their courtship was “one for the books” as Lucious was “head over heels” for that green-eyed gal whom he affectionately called “Hunny”. They were married in the summer of 1963 right in her parent’s living room. Over the course of 54 years, they enjoyed traveling, being playful, and simply enjoying life in the company of each other before he preceded her in death.

Soon after their marriage, they began expanding their family. To their surprise, seven children were born. Out of all the things that she shared and taught them over the years, no message was more vital than family and the love of Jesus.

At an early age, she accepted Jesus into her heart and became a lifelong member of First Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a pillar of the congregation serving for over 64 years. She fulfilled many capacities such as the assistant youth choir director, a devoted choir member, and many other auxiliaries within the church. One of the most valued things that she enjoyed doing in the church was preparing and administering Holy Communion every fourth Sunday. She was honored to serve alongside her mother-in-law, Mother Ethel Rogers, in this capacity. In 2011, she was commissioned as the Church Mother where she wholeheartedly served for 12 years. Her resilience, even in sickness, showed her faithfulness to God.

Not only was she steadfast in her own ministry, Mother Rogers was also faithful in partnering with her loving husband, Bishop L.C. Rogers, Sr., in serving various churches for over 40 years. She served as the First Lady of Greater Saint James Baptist Church of Alma, Georgia, Greater Saint Matthews Baptist Church of Baxley, Georgia, Macedonia Baptist Church of Graham, Georgia, and Union Chapel Baptist Church of Mershon, Georgia. Amongst a host of other things, she generously shared the wisdom and insight that God had given her with all whom she came in contact with over the years.

For years, Mother Rogers treasured making her home a safe haven for many, where she would feed them, tell stories, and make them feel loved. She thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing about her childhood, telling people who their kin folk were, listening to her Gospel tunes, gardening, “going ‘cross the river”, attending church, sitting on her porch, and threatening to beat some tail (inside
joke).

Mother Rogers will always be remembered as a thoughtful, caring woman of God. She was the true epitome of what it meant to have a servant’s heart and was willing to serve the least and
greatest among us. She was quiet yet witty, loving, and kind.

Left to cherish her memories and contributions are three daughters, Terrie Rogers, Larone Snead, and Deone Rogers, all of Baxley, GA; four sons, Reginald (Meronica) Rogers of Austell, GA, Lucious (Janice) Rogers, Jr. of Baxley, GA, Brendon (Sarah) Rogers of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Karl (Virginia) Rogers of Ludowici, GA; two special daughters, Brenda (Choice) Harris of Baxley, GA, and Linece Weaver of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Bessie Wilkerson whom she affectionately called “Bash”, of Baxley, GA; two brothers, Levi (Beverly) Wilkerson of
Baxley, GA, and Ulysses Wilkerson, whom she affectionately called “Cecil”, of Moultrie, GA; four sisters-in-law, Pearlie Mae Sumner of Fort Pierce, FL, Francis DeShazor of Baxley, GA,
Alice Kornegay of Jacksonville, FL, and Joyce Kornegay of Powder Springs, GA; three brothers-in-law, Wayne Rogers of Pooler, GA, Bobby (Rosa) Rogers, and Harold (Theresa) Rogers, both of Baxley, GA; and eighteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. She also leaves to cherish special friendships; Rebecca Ogden and Lonell Austin.

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