Simon "Sugar Boy" Rogers Jr.

Simon "Sugar Boy" Rogers, Jr.

WAKE FOREST

Simon "Sugar Boy" Rogers, Jr., 90, of Wake Forest, died Friday, February 6, 2015 at his home. Simon was born February 1, 1925 in Franklin County, the son of the late Simon Rogers and Rebecca Moye Vaughn Rogers Wester.

Simon never got to go to college. During World War II when he was 16 years old and driving a school bus, he fibbed a little about his age in order to join the US Navy where he served for 4 years. Most of his time was spent in the South Pacific on the US Saratoga. After returning home, Simon worked in several fields of employment including farming, the NC State Prison Department, Seaboard Railroad and he eventually retired with the Raleigh Fire Department after 30 years of service.

Simon has been fondly referred to in many different ways: a "character", a "self-educated man", and "a man with the best memory you ever saw". He could discuss most any subject and knew the date and year of their happenings.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, February 9, 2015 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1581 Bethlehem Church Road, Youngsville, NC 27587. Burial will follow in the Rogers Family Cemetery located on the Franklin County farm that Simon inherited from his father in 1928 when he was three years old with Masonic Graveside Rites. Simon was a member of the White Stone Lodge #155 A.F. & A.M. for 67 years.

Simon is survived by three sisters, Mary O'Neal (Royster) of Wake Forest, Pattie Watson of Durham, and Glathy Bullard of Franklinton; two nieces, Gail Mitchell of Henderson, and Tammy Newsome (Todd) of Louisburg; three nephews, Tommy Coppedge and Sammy Coppedge of Richmond, VA, and Mark Watson of Durham; a great-nephew, Isaiah Mitchell and a great-neice, Dazier Mitchell of Henderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Nellie Coppedge (Mildred) of Richmond, and Daphne Hill (Haywood) of Louisburg; brother-in-law, James Watson of Durham; nephew, Louis Hill of Louisburg, and the love of his life and special girl friend of 57 years, Rachel Mae Perry of Zebulon.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Ann Ibach of Internal Medicine Associates of Raleigh; Dr. Brian Bennett and the doctors and nurses on staff at Rex Hospital and Rex Rehab and to Dr. Amarendra Reddy and Dr. John Sinden at WakMed for all the great care they have given Simon over the years. Appreciation also goes to Rev. Dr. Baxter Prevatte of Wendell and Pastor Tito Madrazo of Woodland Baptist Church for their many prayers and visits and for participation in this funeral service.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1581 Bethlehem Church Road, Youngsville, NC 27596.

Friends may visit with the family from 6-8:30 Sunday evening at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)

www.brightfunerals.com