Dr. Virgil Postell Rogers Sr.

Virgil Rogers Sr. made his debut into the world on May 18, 1931, at Northwest 10th Street in Miami's Overtown. He was the 10th of 10 children born to the late Winifred Bain and Joseph Rogers. All his siblings preceded him in death.

From the beginning, Virgil was doted on by his parents and older siblings, and was revered by his nieces and nephews, some of whom grew up with him. He received his early education in Miami's "Colored" schools, graduating in 1949 from Booker T. Washington Junior/Senior High School. It was a time when the entire neighborhood celebrated when one of their own graduated from high school. For many young blacks back then, graduating from high school would be the end of their formal education.

However, this was not to be the case for young Virgil because his parents were strong advocates for education. But this was the post-World War II era and for many Blacks, funds were tight. While there was not enough money to send all their children to college, Winifred and Joseph Rogers still stressed to them that education was a way out of poverty. They encouraged their children to seek useful skills at local trade schools. It was good advice. One of the Rogers siblings, Bernice, became a practical nurse. Another, Doris (Dorsett), became a licensed cosmetologist, while another, Leroy, entered the then segregated Miami Police Academy and became a City of Miami police officer.

With financial help from his parents and older siblings, Virgil enrolled in Xavier College (now Xavier University) in New Orleans and later transferred to Florida A & M College (now Florida A & M University), where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees, graduating in 1953. That same year, Virgil entered the United States Army, where he served as a medic. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

In 1959, Virgil married his college sweetheart Victoria James Rogers, and they became the parents of Virgil, Jr.

He would later become a math teacher at his beloved Booker T. Washington Junior/Senior High School, while he earned a Doctorate in Secondary Education from the University of Miami, making him one of the university's Black "trailblazers".

Virgil was outspoken and had an opinion about every topic under the sun, his son Virgil, Jr. said with a chuckle. "He was stern, but he loved his family, and we loved him back. I remember his dry sense of humor, and how he was a stickler for 'putting something away' for a rainy day. Dad was very detail-oriented; if he gave you a task to do, he made sure you understood what the task was. He used to say, "It doesn't matter what the task is, do it right or not at all." He loved his fraternity – Omega Psi Phi – and his church, Martin Memorial of Richmond Heights, so much so, that he often helped clean the church. It didn't matter to him – he did what he thought was needed at the time," Virgil, Jr. said. "Dad was a well-rounded man. There was nothing he couldn't do when he was in his prime. And he was always willing to help someone in need and was a mentor to young people and a champion to the downtrodden."

Virgil's niece, Virginia Dorsett Payne, remembers that her uncle loved animals. "When I was little and went with my grandparents to spend weekends with him at his Richmond Heights home, he always had a pet dog. He used to tell me he wanted to be a doctor but didn't regret not becoming one because he loved his job as a teacher," she said.

Virgil retired in 1986 from South Miami Senior, where he was the assistant principal of administration.

Early in the morning of October 6, 2025, the Lord called Virgil home to his reward. In addition to his son Virgil Jr. and niece Virginia Payne, he leaves to mourn his passing beloved niece Nellie Dorsett Green, nephews Nathaniel Dorsett and Charles Rogers, and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Dr. Virgil Postell Rogers Sr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.