Carroll Rodgers Jr.

Carroll M. Rodgers Jr. PORTSMOUTH - Carroll M. Rodgers Jr., 77, of the 900 block of County St., joined the ancestors July 11, 2009, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He was born to the late Rev. Carroll M. Rodgers Sr. and Mrs. Beulah Smith Rodgers in the Campostella section of Norfolk Jan. 29, 1932. He was raised in Portsmouth and excelled in school from an early age. Carroll was a great orator and graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 1949 second in his class, captain of the football team, and president of the student body. He went on to Elizabeth City State College (now University), graduating in 1953 with honors, playing football for four years, and serving as president of the student body. In 1955, Carroll received a master's degree in supervision and administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and returned to his alma mater (I.C. Norcom High School) to teach and coach football. Mr. Rodgers was the class sponsor of the June 1956 class. He later served as vice principal of then S.H. Clark Junior High School. As principal of Brighton Elementary School, Mr. Rodgers was recognized for his innovation and commitment to excellence, creating a model school worthy of replication today. In 1968, Mr. Rodgers left Portsmouth Public Schools to become director for development at Elizabeth City State College. He left that position in 1970 to pursue doctoral work in supervision and administration at New York University under a Ford Foundation fellowship. Carroll worked in Plainfield, N.J., as human resources coordinator of the YMCA and ran the successful campaign of the first elected black mayor of that city. Before moving back to Portsmouth in 2005, he lived for more than 15 years in Philadelphia, working as a program coordinator of senior citizens activities. Carroll was a great scholar who helped many teachers early in their careers. He never met a stranger and was known to take pictures on any occasion. Carroll loved to walk, traveling miles by foot to visit friends, attend meetings, and of course, take pictures. Carroll was a member of I.C. Norcom Greyhound Alumni Athletics Association, Elizabeth City State University Tri-State Alumni Association, National Elizabeth City State University Alumni Association, Frontiers International, Portsmouth Chapter of the NAACP, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Carroll was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, the Rev. James T. Rodgers. He is survived by his daughter, Shari Rodgers Harris; two sisters, Cynthia L. Rodgers and Dr. La Francis Rodgers-Rose; longtime friend, Vernon "Rocky" Randall; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. A funeral will be held Thursday, July 16, at 11 a.m. in New Bethel Baptist Church, 4212 Greenwood Drive, Portsmouth, by Bishop James M. Whitaker. Burial will be held in Roosevelt Memorial Park. The viewing will be held today with the family receiving friends from 4 to 7 p.m. in Carlos A. Howard Funeral Home, 436 W. 35th St., Norfolk. The Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Omega ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. www.carlosahowardfuneralhome.com.