Mary Rogers

Mary T. Law Rogers BRISTOL, Tenn. Mary T. Law Rogers, 94, passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at her residence. She was born on Saturday, Sept. 26, 1915, in Fordwick, Va. She was a talented musician, having begun to study piano at age 6. She studied with Emmi Pacholski, who was a student of Leopold Godowsky, at Manch College of Music and Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. At age 13, she began her first experience in church music, playing for five services each Sunday at Craigsville Virginia Presbyterian Church. She graduated in piano from Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Va., where she was a student of Ruth Weybright. While attending Bridgewater College, she accompanied advanced vocal students and the college orchestra. She was also a member of the concert choir. After graduation, she taught piano until her marriage on Dec. 28, 1934. At this time, she moved to Roanoke, Va., where she became the staff pianist at WRBX Radio Station. She later moved to Harrisonburg, Va., where she became active in the musical program at The First Church of the United Brethren. She also directed and accompanied the high school choir, sang in the sanctuary choir, and accompanied various soloists. In 1937, she and her husband moved to Bristol. Soon thereafter, she began studying pipe organ at Virginia Intermont College under Professor Sam Schroetter. She was active in Central Presbyterian Church where she established and taught a Sunday school class for small children. She was also active in the women of the church and the music program. She organized, directed and accompanied the youth choirs, sang in the sanctuary choir and served as the church organist for several years. She was accompanist for the Bristol Male Chorus and Tennessee High School presentation of The Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. She also served as accompanist for the noonday service of the Bristol Preaching Mission. She was a member of the Bristol Music Club, the Fairmount Garden Club, the 1931 Study Club, the Country Club of Bristol, and State Street United Methodist Church. She had a continuing interest in the cultural life of the area and was patron of many of the arts. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, J.E. Fey Rogers, who passed away on July 28, 2002. She is survived by her three children, Libby R. Owen and her husband Roy of Bristol Tennessee, Dr. William E. Rogers and his wife Bonnie of Knoxville, Tenn., and James E. Rogers of Charlotte, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 Saturday afternoon, Jan. 2, 2010, in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 with Dr. David Wadsworth and Rev. Jack Heintzleman, her nephew, officiating. Entombment will follow. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caregivers of the past seven years for their dedication and love. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Mrs. Rogers and her family are in the care of Oakley Cook Funeral Home in Bristol Tennessee.