EDWIN SMITH RODGERS

January 7, 1932 - December 15, 2021

PERRY – Edwin Smith “Ed” Rodgers, 89, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Graveside Services will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in Perry Memorial Gardens with Rev. Jim McIlrath officiating. The family will visit with friends immediately following the service. Edwin was born on January 7, 1932, in Henderson, Tennessee, to the late Edwin Guy Rodgers and the late Elizabeth Smith Rodgers. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee. Edwin proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from the military, he married, Sue Orr on September 2, 1955. In 1960, Edwin accepted a position at Robins Air Force Base and moved to Perry in July of the same year where the couple would settle and raise their children. Edwin was actively involved in construction of the original buildings at The Westfield School and was also one of the original coaches of the elementary football program, the Lil Stingers. He worked with Civil Service as an Industrial Engineer and retired after thirty years of service. He was a member of Perry United Methodist Church. A lifelong auto mechanic/painter and all-around do-it-yourself handyman, Ed liked leading his sons, and especially his grandchildren, by example how to love your family, work hard, and enjoy life. He savored every moment spent with each of them. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Ernest Rodgers; and a son, Kevin Lee Rodgers. Left to cherish the memories they made with Edwin are his loving and devoted wife of sixty-six years, Sue Orr Rodgers; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Kelly Rodgers; his granddaughter, Jordan Rodgers; his grandson (and carbon copy), Sam Rodgers; his sister, Joan Morgan; his sisters-in-law, Jo Ann Orr Garland and Betty Jane Orr Hardin; and eleven nieces and nephews and their families. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.