Edward RODGERS

1927 - 2018

RODGERS, Edward Judge Edward Rodgers was born on August 12, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Evelyn and Corinth Rodgers. However, Edward was raised by his paternal grandparents, Annie and Norman Rodgers. He graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh at 17 years of age. With the consent of his grandparents, Edward joined the Navy, serving as a hospital-core man at the US Naval Hospital, Long Beach, California. A friend, seeing his potential, encouraged him to go to college after his discharge. With the assistance of the G.I. Bill, Edward enrolled in and received his undergraduate degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C. At Howard University, he met and married West Palm Beach native, Gwendolyn Baker. He and his family moved to West Palm Beach in 1950. Although he worked many jobs after arriving in West Palm Beach, he eventually became a vocational teacher and guidance counselor at Roosevelt High School. Finding West Palm Beach to be deeply segregated and discriminatory in its treatment of Blacks, Edward decided to pursue a law degree. He was accepted to the University of Miami School of Law, only to have his acceptance rescinded upon the school discovering that he was Black. Not to be deterred, Edward moved his family to Tallahassee, Florida and enrolled in the first law class of Florida A & M University School of Law in 1960. Edward returned to West Palm Beach, initially practicing for a short time with F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr., before opening his own law office. As a young lawyer, Edward undertook various civil rights issues in the community __ pushing to desegregate the Children's Home Society, addressing discrimination of Black officers in the West Palm Beach Police Department, and advocating for the desegregation of Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1964, he became the first Black prosecutor, and later the first Black assistant state attorney. Governor Reubin Askew, in 1973, appointed him to the county court, making him the first Black judge in Palm Beach County. He was elevated by Governor Askew to the circuit court in 1976. In 1984, Judge Rodgers served as Chief Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. In 1995, Judge Rodgers retired after 22 years of service on the bench. Though retired from the bench, Judge Rodgers continued to be actively involved in civic, political and community matters for more than twenty years. In 1999, he was elected to the City of Riviera Beach City Council. During his tenure on the city council he served as chair. Judge Rodgers served as the first chair of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. He devoted his time serving also on boards of many civic, community and church organizations as the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Urban League of Palm Beach County, St. Patrick's Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. Judge Rodgers was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the NAACP and the Urban League. He was the recipient of the prestigious Jefferson Award at the US Supreme Court, in 1991, for his efforts establishing drug courts in Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach and Delray Beach. In 2004, the US Post Office in Riviera Beach was named in his honor, and he was the recipient of the Gideon Award from the 15th Judicial Circuit, Office of Public Defender. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Baker Rodgers; his eldest son, Anthony Rodgers; and his sister, Esther Rodgers Young. He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his daughter, Sandra Rodgers; two sons, Edward Rodgers, Jr. (Sharon) and Martin Rodgers; his seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Judge Rodgers also shared a special relationship with Sanjena Clay, his companion of 14 years. There will be a public viewing Friday, October 26, 2018, from 5:00PM 8:00PM at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 418 Sapodilla Ave. in West Palm Beach. A service celebrating his life and legacy will be held 11:00AM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 211 Trinity Place in West Palm Beach. In lieu of flowers and in recognition of his faithful service to his church and dedication to the church's ministries, contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 418 North Sapodilla Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Arrangements entrusted to Shuler's Memorial Chapel, West Palm Beach.