Sarah Clifton Rogers

1926 - 2016

Sarah Clifton Rogers died peacefully on Oct. 11, 2016. Her four children were thankful to be present at this time of transition. Sarah is a believer in the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and in the promise of Heaven, so rather than say she has departed, we announce, she has arrived!

Sarah was born on Nov. 22, 1926 to Bernice Clayton Clifton and Edna Irene Highsmith in Faison, N.C. Recruited at the age of 16, she left for Washington, D.C. to contribute to the war efforts. Trained as a fingerprint expert, Sarah first worked for the FBI, and later as a secretary for Kiplinger Magazine. In December of 1948, she met Roger Joseph Rogers on a blind date. After his proposal on April Fools' Day, they were married Oct. 29, 1949. Dad's career with the National Park Service took them to Richmond, then Atlanta, Ga. Following his retirement, they made their home in Crozet, Orange, and finally Gordonsville, Va.

After family, genealogy and books were our mother's two passions in life. In every church along her way, she either served in or established a library. Following her stroke in 2013, her dream was to create an interdenominational library in every county in the United States. In the meantime, she invited everyone to the library in her dining room. That invitation would not have been possible without the help of a host of wonderful caregivers. We give special thanks to Ann Braxton who Mom loved as a daughter.

Mom influenced those around her both spiritually and practically. Where she saw a need, she made every effort to fill it. Whether it was with words of advice or encouragement, a newspaper clipping of interest, or a contribution from her own simple resources, Mom taught us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our Mom remains in our hearts a vibrant, smiling face of etiquette and warmth.

She is survived by her son Mark Clifton Rogers and his wife Mariah of Nellysford, her daughters Cynthia Erkel and husband Michael of Afton, Jennifer Ornduff and husband Michael of Gordonsville, and Rebecca Nelson and husband Durrell of Lynchburg. She was also blessed to have 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition she is also survived by her two brothers John Bernice Clifton of El Paso, Texas and Francis Highsmith Clifton of Giddensville, N.C., and her sister Imogene Baggett of Giddensville, NC. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roger Joseph Rogers, her brothers Bryant Clifton of Faison, N.C. and Gerald Thomas Clifton of Warrenton, N.C., and great-grandson Seth Erkel, of Ivy, Va.

The celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, at Mechanicsville Baptist Church, 10200 Louisa Rd. Gordonsville, Va. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Mechanicsville Baptist Church Building Fund or AllBlessingsFlow.org.