Ernest Wayne "John" Rodgers

Ernest Wayne "John" Rodgers, age 69, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS in Oxford, MS.

Services to celebrate John's life will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Following the service, the interment will be at Black Jack Cemetery in Batesville, MS.

John was born on September 29, 1956, in Batesville, Mississippi to the late Vernon Talmadge Rodgers and Katherine Ware Rodgers Brower. He was a cherished member of his community and a well-respected banker at First Security Bank in Batesville, where he dedicated many years of his life to the financial well-being of his neighbors and friends.

Known affectionately as "John" to those who loved him, he possessed an infectious personality that drew people in, creating bonds that would last a lifetime. A true storyteller at heart, John's anecdotes and humor brightened gatherings, and his knack for compelling tales made family and community events all the more memorable. His vibrant spirit extended beyond his professional life; he thoroughly enjoyed deer hunting, playing golf, and engaging in karaoke singing, sharing countless joyful moments with friends and family through these passions.

John was also actively involved in his local community and served as a former president of the Batesville Lion's Club. His contributions went beyond personal achievements and left a lasting impact on the town he held dear. John was a member of the Batesville First Methodist Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Kristin Rodgers Wilson (Roy) of Batesville, MS, and his son, Jameson Rodgers (Sarah) of Mt. Juliet, TN. John was a proud grandfather to two grandsons, Hayes Wilson and Korbin Wilson, and one grandson, Baby Boy Rodgers, due to be born in a few months.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Talmadge Rodgers; his mother, Katherine Ware Rodgers Brower and one granddaughter, Eden Grace Wilson. John's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends, who will remember him for his warmth, generosity, and the joy he brought into their lives.