Ann Rogers

Ann Edwards Rogers, 91, a true Southern belle who exuded grace, kindness, humor, hospitality and love, passed away peacefully from natural causes on June 28, 2025, at Hospice Savannah.

Ann's wide network of friendships across the country started in her kitchen long ago in a mixing bowl with eggs, butter, flour, sugar and rum. The original founder of The Savannah Rum Runners Bakery, her cakes have sparked many connections, from film producers to celebrities on Gulfstream jets.

The daughter of James and Georgie Ann Edwards, Ann was born in Sumter and raised in the small town of Kingstree, SC. She was the wife of the late John Ellsworth Rogers, Jr., and attended Columbia College in South Carolina, where she received multiple awards for her speed typing and business management skills. Her life growing up in Kingstree was filled with frolic and fun and her stories from those days were colorful and entertaining.

She spent most of her adult life in Huntsville, AL, raising her daughters, who survive her: Georgia Ann Byrd (Joe), of Savannah, and Jane Downey (Steve), of Louisville, Kentucky.

An impeccable dresser, Ann waltzed through life with perfectly coiffed hair and her trademark jewelry pieces consisting of earrings, pearls, bracelets and rings. She never passed a mirror without checking her lipstick and repeatedly told her granddaughters: "Put on some lipstick and everything will be just fine."

Landing in Huntsville as her husband worked as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army, Ann delighted in expanding her Southern traditions, joining a ladies' Garden Club, various bridge groups and volunteering for her church.

She brought her girls up in "White Gloves and Party Manners," traditional instructions for proper etiquette, which they've passed along to her grandchildren. She tried to teach them the game of bridge, which she stressed, "Every young woman must learn," to no avail. She also dressed them up to perform with her as the piano accompaniest. So the girls sang in frequent social ladies gatherings, oftentimes to their chagrin.

With college tuition looming for her daughters, she began a work career. As secretary to the late Rev. John Rutland, parishioners of Trinity United Methodist Church met Ann's smiling face and welcoming demeanor in the church office on weekdays. Her magnetic personality, combined with her office antics, brightened each day.

Ann's passion for having fun transitioned to the halls of Virgil I. Grissom High School in 1972, where she became the secretarial assistant to the principal. She evolved into a favorite personality among the students when her strong Southern drawl overtook each morning's PA announcements. She started "Mrs. Rogers' Dating Service" from her desk and she claimed that there are Grissom graduates who are still married from her matchmaking intuition.

Ann's friends and family were raised on her warm homemade rum cakes and as they grew in popularity, she continued delivering them to doorsteps as gifts. Retirement brought the couple to Savannah and eventually homes and friends on Wilmington and Tybee Island. Her passion for baking evolved into the Savannah establishment called Rum Runners that still thrives today.

Ann was never without a song at her fingertips.

She has always been an entertainer and storyteller no matter where she appeared, whether it was on an elevator or in the grocery store.

One of her greatest loves was her church. She rarely missed attending a Sunday service and instilled those values of family and faith in her children and grandchildren.

In her later years, she shared her talents by playing piano for church services in each of the senior communities where she resided: The Palms of Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Pointe, Summer Breeze and Harmony at Savannah. Within those senior communities, the stage called and Ann wouldn't pass those opportunities to perform. She was a hit as Scarlett O'Hara and Paula Deen, bringing laughter to the residents.

Thanks to a close friend and casting director, Cynthia Stillwell, Ann and her husband, John, made the big screen, appearing as extras in more than five major films. More recently, one could find her on Netflix in bridge playing scenes for a film entitled, "Queen Bees." An avid dancer in the hallways with staff in her assisted living home, Ann was pure delight to the workers and residents, taking the mundane out of their long days.

At Harmony, her final senior living home, she remained socially active as the staff and friends kept her moving from bridge games to bingo, sunup to sundown. "Staying active," she claimed, "…was key to living a long and healthy life."

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law; her brother, James M. Edwards, Jr. (Jack), of Florence, SC; her grandchildren, Ammie Akin (Will), of Birmingham, AL, Bertram "Whit" Whitley (Sara) of Savannah, Scooter Downey (Lauryn) of Nashville, TN, and Georgia Ann Downey of Miami, FL; and five great-grandsons, Jack, George and Henry Akin, and Ryder and Silas Downey.

The family wishes to thank Ann's private caregivers and those special staff members at Harmony who helped care for her during her last months. Her daily companion, Mrs. Cynthia Holmes, who has remained loyal for several years, became her friend and confidante.

A special thanks to Dr. Pam Gaudry of Coastal Care Partners whose kindness and friendship offered the family guidance and medical care for Ann the past few years. Also, thanks to the amazing staff at Hospice Savannah for their kindness and care in her last days.