Charlie Rodgers was born in Chatham County in 1860.  He lived and worked there throughout his life.  Charlie was a farmer, producing cotton and tobacco as well as selling cedar off his  land.  He belonged to Evans Chapel AME Church.  Charlie Rodgers was married three times--to Eliza Smith, Sophronia Degraffenreidt and Bertha Alston.  Nine children were born to the union with Eliza  Smith.  These children were Willie, Arthur, (name unknown) was born to his union with   Sophronia Degraffenreidt.  His union with Bertha Alston are: Esther Marie McClain, Lester Roland  Rodgers, Sr., Worth Rodgers, Celia Packinghm, Wade Hampton Rodgers, Marcellus Rodgers, Pauline  Rodgers, Onnie Rodgers, Vatie Siler, Julius Rodgers, Mozella S. Hooker, Alberta Rodgers, and Hannah Alston.  Ernest Lee Green was brought to the union by Bertha Alston. The idea of a Rodgers Family Reunion was initiated by Margaret Risher, after the death of Daisy R.  Goins, the daughter of Charlie and Eliza Rodgers.  Margaret, the daughter of Thomas and Minnie R. Burman discovered that during the homegoing events for Ms. Daisy many of the Rodgers family members  did not know their relatives and often did not see them except for the death of a family member.   Thus, Margaret suggested that the Rodgers family should have a reunion.  After all, since several  family member were living out of state, but often came back home to visit their immediate family  members, it would be a good idea to invite other family members to get together with them in order  to reunite and get to know each other.  Therefore, the year following Ms. Daisy's  death the first  Rodgers Family Reunion was held at the home of Leroy Gowins, the son of Minnie R. Burman.  The Gowins home was selected because it was often the place where some of the Burman family would stay  when they came home to visit their close family members.  So when the Burman family came to visit  in July of 1965 several Rodgers family members were invited to the home of Leroy Gowins to reunite and get to know their relatives.  It later became evident that the Rodgers Family Reunion had been birthed out of that gathering.  As the years passed by, the reunion became more organized and other  family members volunteered to host the event.
 Thanks to all of you that have helped to build this legacy of family togetherness for 49 years.   This year the Rodgers Family celebrated its 50th Family Reunion at Wyndham Virginia Crossings in Glen Allen, Virginia.

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 For Detailed Information On Upcoming Family Reunion, Please Use The Useful Links Below!!!  (Open  with Adobe Acrobat Reader!)