It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Cherry Sledge Rogers. Cherry passed peacefully surrounded by her children on March 8, 2024, one day shy of her 74th birthday. She left behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and integrity.
Born on March 9, 1950, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her father William “Bill” Covington Sledge Jr., mother Nancy Pauline Cherry Sledge, brother William “Billy” Comer Sledge, sister Brenda Harris, and niece Buffy Brown.
Cherry is survived by her children, Mark (Kim) Rogers, Tab (Lesa) Rogers, Tisha Rogers, and Tanya Rogers. Grand-daughter Peyton Rogers, brother-in-law Mike Harris, niece and namesake Cherry Harris, great-nephew Jaxon Collins, great-nieces Ariah and Elara Collins. Niece Billi Michelle (Randy) Oxner, great-niece Miranda (Jake) Amick, great-nephew Austin Oxner, and great niece Brandi Dye; and by no means last her beloved dog, Chichi.
After graduating from the University of Alabama’s Law Enforcement Academy, she served as the first female police officer in Vernon, Alabama and later retired from the Sulligent, Alabama police force. She loved being a police officer, but her proudest accomplishment was starting the Teaching and Respect program in Vernon. An after-school program that provided tutoring for struggling students. When the federal grant ended, she secured donations and ran a concession stand at the Vernon City Park to obtain the funds needed. On many occasions, kids from her program have stopped her to thank her for her efforts, claiming they would have never graduated without her program.
Cherry mastered many hobbies, sewing, crocheting, quilting, and gardening to name a few. But above all, her greatest masterpiece was her devotion to her children. Miraculously, she managed four kids playing sports year-round, and still found time to prepare homecooked meals every night. All that knew her, knew that her love language was cooking. Nothing made her happier than giving away a freshly baked loaf of cinnamon bread or a basket of hand-picked vegetables from the garden. Be it baked, canned, or frozen, her children never left her house without a care pack. Her dedication and unconditional love will continue to inspire and guide us even in her physical absence.
The family cannot begin to express how much we will miss our sweet mother. We are filled with both sorrow and gratitude. Sorrow for the loss of such a remarkable woman, but gratitude for the love and unwavering devotion she showered upon us every day.
Celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to alabamacops.org.
