Mary Margaret Rogers

Mary Margaret Rogers died on March 8, 2023, at her home in Tallahassee, Florida. She was born September 19, 1937, in Tallahassee to parents Claud and Annie Royal Andrews. She grew up in Tallahassee with her big sister Ara Beth, graduating from Leon High School in 1955 and then attending Florida State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Education and later a Masters in Library Science. During her time at Florida State, Mary Margaret was a member of the Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega Sorority and was elected Crescent Girl for Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. She met her lifelong partner and husband of 65 years, Samuel Byrd Rogers (Sam) while attending Florida State. Mary Margaret and Sam were married on June 21, 1958, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tallahassee. They have three children: Sam Jr., Elizabeth, and Ann. Mary Margaret began her professional career as a classroom teacher in Leon County, then as a Media Specialist working in school libraries. Following her time in the school system, she became a Governmental Representative (Lobbyist) for the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME), advocating for library sciences and media education in the Florida legislature. She was presented with a Lifetime Service Achievement Award from FAME in 1999. Community-minded, Mary Margaret was a lifetime member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she was on the Historic Advisory Committee and a member of the Junior Leagues of Tampa and Tallahassee. She continued her passion for education and literature through her retirement by volunteering in the library at Kate Sullivan Elementary School. She was also a member of the Tallahassee Literary Club and could be found volunteering in the Church Office at Trinity weekly. Mary Margaret and Sam shared a love for the beach, sailing, and traveling. She grew up visiting the beaches of Florida’s panhandle and shared many memories with her children, grandchildren, and friends at their Alligator Point home. Together, Mary Margaret and Sam took tours across much of Europe, the United States, and even China. The family spent many summers sailing the Abaco islands of the Bahamas and adventured up and down Florida’s gulf coast on Sam’s 36-ft sailboat, Samurai. Mary Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Claud and Annie Royal, sister Ara Elizabeth Johnston, son-in-law, Steve Hirst, and grandson Brooks Rogers. She is survived by her husband, Sam, and their family: son, Sam Jr. and his wife Laura, daughters Ara Elizabeth and her husband Taylor Dickerson, and Ann and her husband David Farran. Grandchildren: Don Rogers and wife Juliet Turner, Andy Rogers, Emily (Hirst) Bond and husband Lewis Bond, Ara Katherine Hirst and husband Conor Logan, Brett Farran, Bailey Farran, and Joe Dickerson. Great-grandchildren: Brooks and Henry Bond and Eldon Rogers. A service will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 10:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church. A reception will follow at the church, in Moor Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Bicentennial Committee. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Mary Margaret Rogers

September 19, 1937 - March 8, 2023