Marian Delores Rogers

Marian Delores Rogers was born in Kelton, South Carolina to Edward and Curtis Brown in 1941. She grew up during difficult times in the south, but spending time with her extended Brown, Holley, Smith, Spears and Woods family was joyful. Delores graduated from Sims High School in Union, South Carolina. After leaving South Carolina, Delores alternated living in New York City and Dayton, Ohio with relatives. She finally settled in Dayton where she met and married Arthur Rogers in 1969. Delores and Arthur moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she gave birth to their son, Jevarik. She was a proud, doting mother who emphasized education both in school and outside of school. Delores cherished every drawing, poem, and accomplishment of her son. Many of her phone calls to family and friends featured a report on Jevarik’s accomplishments, humor or thoughtful deeds. In 1984, the Rogers family moved to Alabama to support Arthur's ailing mother and Delores embraced the Browder, Upshaw, Davis, Rogers and Mayberry families of her husband. The phone quickly became her greatest tool... she was known to converse for hours. Her sharp investigative technique, intuitive listening skills and confidentiality meant family and friends loved to share everything with Delores!

Delores trained and worked as a surgical technician at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Dayton and also at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Building on this experience she obtained her nursing degree after moving to Alabama and became a surgical nurse at Doctor's Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. As a nurse, Delores made a name for herself by being empathetic, thorough, observant and proactive, making a point to anticipate a surgeon's needs prior to their requests. These qualities led to her being in high demand, such that Dr. William Jain subsequently recruited her to work in his office, where she worked until her retirement. In her personal life, these same qualities enabled her to be a strong advocate for the wellbeing of her mother, brother, niece, Uncle Hood and other family members and friends. Delores was active in her community, serving on the Child Foster Care Review Board and at a food bank along with joining and regularly attending her library's book club. She was also an astute political observer and donor to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Delores accepted Jesus Christ through baptism at an early age. As she grew, so did her personal relationship with God, supported by her daily practice of prayer and meditation in the morning. She became an active member of 4th Street Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia, regularly attending early morning services, Sunday School and supporting the Grief Ministry. She also traveled, studied, and embraced the Protestant Women of the Chapel missionary group.

Delores was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Arthur Rogers, four brothers, Donald, Bobby, Kenneth, and Michael Brown, and one sister, Shirley Brown.

Cherishing her memory are her son, Jevarik Rogers of Hapeville, GA., her big sister, Susie Hawkins and younger brother, James Brown, both of Dayton, OH, two brothers-in-law: Jimmie (Shirley) Rogers, Tuskegee, AL, David (Beverly) Rogers, Bradenton, FL, sister in law Johnnie Mae Brown of Dayton, Ohio, close cousin Wilma (Clarence) Hoggard of Fords, NJ, four sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and associates.

Funeral Service 11 am Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton, OH. Visitation 9 am- 11 am. Family will receive friends 10 am- 11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens.

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