Deborah Kay Rogers, 67, of Monticello, went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, April 20, at Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello. She was born August 6, 1954, in St. Paul, Minn. to the late John and Betty Basta Estes. She was also preceded in death by her grandmother who raised her, Ruth Ione Rogers.
There's no better way to sum up the life of Debbie than to use the words written in 1 John 3:18, ''Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.'' Debbie exemplified this type of love on a daily basis. As a mother and a MeMe, as a sister and an aunt, as a niece and a church member, and as a friend, Debbie loved with all she had. There are no adequate words to describe the love that she had for her family. She called her grown children every morning to make sure they were up and getting ready for the day. She scheduled her life around the endless extracurricular activities of her precious grandchildren. She was the perfect example of Southern elegance and tradition; never leaving the house without her jewelry while keeping the entire family in line at the same time. To paraphrase the words of Jesus in Matthew 22, ''Love God, Love people.'' Debbie lived out these words. She poured her energy into her church, made sure that food was handled in all situations, and cared for others with a servant's heart. It is this servant's heart that has made Debbie a role model for countless lives. While she has left a void that will never be fully filled, Debbie also leaves a legacy and a lasting reminder to us all to Love God, Love people.
She is survived by a son, Rusty Arrington of Monticello; a daughter, Melissa Reid of Wilmar; two sisters, Johnnie Ruth Ferrington of Wilmar and Jeanne Campbell of Hot Springs; and seven grandchildren, Preston, Kayla and Cooper Arrington, John Parker Reid, MaryJane Rogers, Jay Dylan Reid and Saylor Bliss Boykin.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Second Baptist Church of Monticello with Rev. Ray Hearron officiating. Burial was in McCoy Cemetery in New Edinburg. There was a visitation preceding the funeral service from 1-2 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to the Second Baptist Church or the Second Baptist Church Building Fund. You can sign Deborah's guestbook page at www.stephensondearman.com.
