Today, in celebration of Black History Month, we honor our co-founder and spiritual grandmother, Mrs. Lula Rogers.
Born in Charlottesville in 1917, Lula Wicks married Charles Rogers, who died in 1946. Mrs. Rogers worked as a housekeeper and then an educator for 30 years. She served in the cafeteria at Burley High School before becoming a teacher’s assistant at McGuffey School. After McGuffey’s closure, Mrs. Rogers served as a teacher’s assistant at Johnson Elementary.
Tenacious in her beliefs, Mrs. Rogers stood firm in her faith. One morning, seeing Mrs. Rogers reading her Bible at her desk, the principal told her to put it away. Mrs. Rogers said she would not, and that she begins every day with the Word. The principal relented.
The mother of two sons, Carter and Charles, Mrs. Rogers was a “neighborhood mother” in Oak Ridge Gardens (now Greenstone on 5th), and served as Residents Association president. She was a person of wisdom who shared it and a mentor to young mothers. Mrs. Rogers did not demand respect but commanded it, and taught others to do likewise. She said, “People will only do to you what you allow them to.”
An active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Mrs. Rogers taught Sunday School and VBS for many years. She believed in the children of her neighborhood and lamented the negative media attention it garnered. In the 1990s, she prayed fervently that the Lord would send a Christian influence to help the children of Prospect. At the same time, a small group of believers at trinitycville were praying for a neighborhood to partner with.
The Lord brought Mrs. Rogers and Dr. Amy Sherman together in 1995 to co-chair the Community Leadership Team. After surveying residents, assessing community needs and assets, and formulating plans, Abundant Life opened its doors on June 14, 1996.
“A mighty warrior for the neighborhood,” Mrs. Rogers passed away on the eve of Abundant Life’s 4th anniversary. The meeting space in the old Abundant Life Family Center was dedicated in her memory. Additionally, the Sherman-Rogers award, bestowed annually by Abundant Life at the Art of Building Community, is co-named in her honor.
