August 22, 1926 – April 5, 2017
Jessie Williamson Coggeshall Rogers died at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence, on April 5, 2017, after a brief illness. Born August 22, 1926, she was the daughter of Jessie Keith St. Clair Williamson and Marion Lide Coggeshall, of Darlington, South Carolina. Jessie had a remarkable memory and was a true student who loved learning. She graduated as Valedictorian of her class at both St. John’s High School in Darlington and Stratford [Junior] College in Danville, Virginia. On April 24, 1948, Jessie married Frank Esby Rogers, Jr., of Darlington. In 1960, she returned to school and graduated from Coker University with a degree in Chemistry and a Teacher’s Certificate. She especially loved teaching math and language arts to sixth graders (Delmae Heights in Florence, St. John’s Elementary School in Darlington and James F. Byrnes Academy in Quinby) and visiting and caring for older family members. She was a member of Over the Teacups Club, the Old Homestead Club, and the Castalian Club. A lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Jessie served the church in many ways: Sunday School teacher, Confirmation teacher, as an active member of the Altar Guild, the Vestry, the Women of the Church, and various Parish Life activities. Jessie is survived by one daughter, Jessie Rogers Whitaker and her husband George of Darlington; her grandchildren, Anne St. Clair Whitaker and Jane Rogers Field of Austin, TX, and Thomas Rogers Coxe of Darlington; her sisters Emmy Lou Coggeshall Donald of the Presbyterian Home in Florence, SC, and Marion Coggeshall Huggins of Pawley’s Island, SC; and her sons-in-law David Field of Monroe, GA, and Ricky Coxe of Darlington. She is also survived by step-grandchildren and their families who she considered her own: Simon Whitaker and his wife Megan of Clinton, SC; Stephen Whitaker, his wife Beth and their children Avery and Myles of Asheville, NC; Richard Coxe, his wife Fairlie and their daughter Gracie of St. James, NY; and Elizabeth Coxe Hubbard, her husband Alan, and their sons Hampton, Charlie, and Waits, of Hartsville, SC. Jessie was predeceased by her husband, her daughters Mary Rogers Field and Marion Rogers Coxe, her granddaughter Marion Coggeshall Field McKenna, her nephew Geoffrey David Huggins, and two brothers-in-law, Alexander Grant Donald and Clarence Pope “Tony” Huggins, Jr. The family will receive friends at the Rogers home, 548 Rogers Rd., Darlington, on Monday, April 10, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11th, at St. Matthew’s Church, Darlington, SC, followed by burial in Grove Hill Cemetery. It will be officiated by the Rev. Hunter C. Jordan and directed by Belk Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to St. Matthew’s Church, 210 South Main St., Darlington, SC 29532, or to a charity of your choice.