WORLD WAR II

Son of William Edward and Sallie Lester Meares Rogers, husband of Lettie Ruth Orr.

MULLINS - Mr. Thaddeus ''T.J.'' Rogers, 85, husband of Lettie Orr Rogers, died Saturday, May 14, 2005 at Regency Hospital in Florence after an extended illness. Mr. Rogers was born May 31, 1919 in Marion County, a son of the late William Eddie Rogers, and the late Lester Mears Rogers.

Mr. Rogers retired from the Mullins Post Office. He retired from the SC National Guard as a Chief Warrant Officer, after serving for 40 years. Mr. Rogers was instrumental in organizing the National Guard unit of Mullins, the Mullins Rural Fire Department and the Mullins Rescue Squad. He was a firefighter for 40 years and had served as Fire Chief. Mr. Rogers was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #770 for many years. He became an expert finisher of antiques and furniture builder. Mr. Rogers was an avid rabbit hunter as long as he was able. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #161, the VFW, and the American Legion. Mr. Rogers was a member of Macedonia United Methodist Church.

Surviving Mr. Rogers are his wife of 59 years, Lettie Orr Rogers of the home; a son, Jim Rogers (Cheryl) of Mullins; three daughters, Ellen R. Brown of Mullins, Anita Bryd (Frank) of Mullins, and Nancy Mathews (John) of Florence; three brothers, Monroe Rogers, Paul Rogers, and Cecil Rogers, all of Marion; four sisters, Ampara ''Dot'' Absher of Clinton, NC, Hazel Gibson of Florence, Hallie Yonkers of Florence, and Sarah Baker of Elizabethtown, NC; 7 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.

Mr. Rogers was predeceased by a son-in-law, James ''Jim'' Brown; three brothers, Yates Rogers, Stokes Rogers, and Chester Rogers; and two sisters, Christine Tillotson and Millwee Murrow.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, May 16, at the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Cedardale Cemetery, directed by Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Cox-Collins Funeral Home of Mullins is serving the family.

Published in theThe Sun News, May 15, 2005