Beth Rogers passed away on October 16, 2024. Her family will honor her with visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Welch’s Funeral Home in Starkville, Mississippi, followed by a commemorative service at 11:00 am Wednesday morning, October 23, at Starkville’s First Baptist Church. Burial and a graveside service will occur at 3:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, October 24, at Poplar Grove Cemetery in Springville, Tennessee, where she will be laid to rest among generations of the Rogers family. Beth’s family entreats her many friends to join them in paying final respects to a wonderful person.
Beth is survived by her husband of 51 years Rudy Rogers, Professor Emeritus, MSU Chemical and Petroleum Engineering; daughter Kathy Rogers Calder (husband Shannon), attorney and Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia; son Kevin Rogers, Cardiovascular Physician and Associate Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine Faculty, Denver, Colorado; and grandson Jack McInnis Rogers (13 years old), Denver, Colorado. Her sister-in-law Nancy McInnis (husband Rush) and niece Karen McInnis McPheeters (husband Steve, children Coleman and Claire) reside in Birmingham, Alabama, with sister-in-law Charlotte Rogers in Miami, Florida.
In their youth, Beth’s parents Cecil Rush McInnis and Mary Alice McInnis attended Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women, respectively, where they met, married, and moved to Birmingham, Alabama. There, on April 27, 1945, Beth was born and raised along with an older brother whom she dearly loved, Rush McInnis, M.D. Having been preceded in death by her parents and brother, they have now reunited in heaven.
As an adult, Beth loved and excelled at her career teaching children. She began her life’s work after receiving a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama. Following graduation, she taught 3rd grade for one year in Decatur, Alabama, and for seven years in Huntsville, Alabama. Prior to retiring in 2007, she taught 3rd grade for fifteen years at Starkville Academy and 4th grade for two years. She often reflected with pleasure on her years of teaching, particularly the relationships built with the many parents and children.
In retirement, Beth, a prolific reader, also enjoyed crossword puzzles, traveling, and music, especially Mississippi State University’s annual Lyceum series. Along with her husband Rudy, she explored numerous museums, exhibits, and historical sites. She thoroughly enjoyed socializing with friends and family, showering her family with love, and delighting in her only grandchild, Jack.
Beth and Rudy were longtime members of First Baptist Church, Starkville, Mississippi. They joined First Baptist in 1977 upon first moving to Starkville and proceeded to raise their children within the church. Over the years, Beth put her love of teaching to good use by teaching 6th grade Sunday School and assisting with Vacation Bible School. She was very active in her Sunday School class, dubbed “The Friendship Class.” In addition to participating in Sunday lessons, she enjoyed assisting with the class’s many philanthropic and faith-driven projects, serving as President at her time of passing. She considered many of these women her closest friends.
It was evident to those who knew her that Beth’s guiding light was always Christ, and she passed that deep love on to family through enduring, steadfast care. She will be deeply missed.
