Grace Tyler Rogers, 94

February 16, 2016

Grace Tyler Rogers, 94, died Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at ManorCare Health Services, Lancaster. She was born in Aiken, SC, the youngest of Earl Jennings and Clara (Shellhouse) Tyler. She spent her formative years in Florida and Georgia with her parents and her siblings, Alva and Henry K.

Grace earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL, a Master of Religious Education from Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY, and a Master of Arts, plus post graduate studies, from Peabody/Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN.

Following graduation from the seminary in 1952, Grace was assigned Assistant Director and teacher of English and Bible studies at a school for Italian girls in Rome, Italy. She also studied Italian language and culture at the University of Florence, receiving a certificate of completion.

Returning to the US in 1956 and earning her M.A. degree, Grace joined the faculty of the English Dept. at West Georgia College in Carrolton, GA. In 1961 she married Howell Clyde Kitchens of Atlanta, GA, where she joined the faculty of the English Dept. at Georgia State University. During her tenure at Georgia State, Grace was included in the publications “Who’s Who of American Women” and “Personalities of the South”. Her husband Clyde was fatally injured in an automobile accident in 1967.

Grace continued to live in Atlanta until her marriage in 1972 to William G. Rogers, supervisor at DuPont in Dalton, GA. The Rogers enjoyed living in Florida and Georgia, traveling, cruises, concerts and dramatic productions. In their travels they stayed at Willow Valley Inn on their way to Bill’s native New Jersey. In 1992 they moved to Willow Valley permanently, immersing themselves immediately in community activities and becoming active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Bill served on the altar, ushered, visited, and helped where needed. Grace lectored, was a member of Friendly Visitors to homebound, took communion to sick and hospitalized, and helped in the office when needed. After Bill’s death in 2003, Grace continued to serve at St. Mary’s until health and age limited her activities, though she continued to be a member of the prayer chain. Grace had many interests: reading widely, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word games, jigsaw puzzles, cards, mysteries and game shows and music.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Clyde Kitchens and William Rogers, brother Henry K., sister Alva and brother-in-law Mark Pace.

She is survived by her nieces Peggy Smith of Dalton, GA, and Patsy Pace of Birmingham, AL, three great nephews, three great-great-nephews and two great-great-nieces.

A viewing will take place on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10 a.m. with Rev. Bernardo Pistone as Celebrant, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will take place in Lawnside Cemetery, Pilesgrove, NJ. Please omit flowers. Kindly consider mailing a memorial contribution to St. Mary’s Legacy Project, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 South Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603