Ella Jean’s Life Journey A Time To Be Born Ella Jean Seay Rogers was born on May 30, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the seventh child born of nine to James Seay and Rosie Belle (Pettigrew) Seay. She is preceded in death by her siblings James Ethelbert Seay, Claudia Draper, Corrine White, Louise Borders, Beverly Johnson, and Sharon Alford. Ella Jean was an avid reader. From a young age, she read books that explored parts of the world and stories of peoplein distant lands that were very different from the world outside her door. She was a lover of all things associated with the arts and valued education. ‘Those values she attributed to her education and time at Howard Kennedy, Tech High School, and Metropolitan Community College. Asa lifelong learner, she tookclasses and workshops and tookevery opportunity to learn new things whether thatwas cake decorating, sewing, carpentry, upholstery, flower arranging, design, or writing. ATime To Love ‘As a teenager, Ella Jean met John Buyon Rogers, who had migrated from Camden/Stephens Arkansas, at a dance in the Dreamland Ballroom in 1947. They were married in 1952 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before John’s passing on August 3, 2012. They were partners in life, and in church service, diligently dedicating their lives and being ordained as deacon and deaconess under Rey. Claude C. Williams a few years after they were married. A Time To Plant Ella Jeanis survived by her children, Jeffrey G. Rogers (Adrienne) of Upper Marlboro, MD, Jonice K Rogers, Joel D. Rogers (Felicia), Jade R. Rogers, and Tyrone Robinson (Bertilia), all of Omaha, NEs17grandchildren, 8great-grandchildren, hersisterVeola Dryver, brother-in-law Scoby"Rick” ‘Alford, sister-in-law Sylvia Archer, and ahost of godsons, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A Time To Sew Ella Jean joined Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in 1933 with her family. She served in The ‘Mission, and as a deaconess for over 50 yeats, and also served as Chairwoman of the Deaconess. She worked with the Baptist Training Union, the Culinary Ministry, Women’s Ministry, the Floral and Decorating Ministries, was a Vacation Bible School Teacher and sang in the choir for many years. These are only a fraction of the positions, programs, and initiatives that she supported, founded and was instrumental in bringing to life, She didn't always have to be upfrontand in the spotlight. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that programs and departments ran smoothly and in good order.Asateenager, EllaworkedatCrosstown Cleaners on 24th and Patrickand sherelished recounting the days when 24th Street was a vibrant community. As an adult, she worked at Western Electric and then later, worked and retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where she was one of the first Black women in the Public Relations department. She worked in the archives, with the photography department, modeled for national advertisements for Bell Telephone, and appeared in commercials for the company. In 2018 she was recognized as one of 12 Trailblazing Women, in an exhibit highlighting the achievements of women in Omaha at the Durham History Museum. In the exhibit, she highlighted Omaha and the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Omaha's History, and the importance of community, her faith, and her family. A Time To Build Up Ella loved people, she loved her family, and was a humble servant of the Lord. Her heart was moved with compassion for women and the senior members of the church. She was faithful in her service to others and asa caregiver of her own mother, she also volunteered and served as an executive board member for Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. She believed in theimportance of spreading the gospel ofJesus Christ, through her own walkand care for others. She was well known to visit the sickand shut-in, go into the homes of women who needed assistance when they wereill, cookmeals, send cards, and make and receivecallsofscores ofmembers, family, and friends to provide comfortand words of encouragement. She journaled daily, and among her notes would be countless entries of prayer requests and reminders to check on people. Even as she became unable to attend services regularly, her phone ministry remained strong up until the end of her life. A Time To Laugh Ellaloved good food and loved to cook. She has many beloved dishes that were served atlargeand small gatherings, but she exemplified the idea of what soul food wasand thetenets of pouringlove intoher food, She loved creating a beautiful space in her home to entertain and loved arranging, rearranging, and changing those spaces based on ideas and clippings from Architectural Digest. She was fond of a good strong cup of mint or ginger tea, watching a good movie, but most, importantly, giving her testimony and rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord. A Time To Mourn and A Time to Celebrate Ellalooked for the positivein everything and everyone. She enjoyed fellowshipping with friends and family and reminiscing about times past. She served as a living testament of what a good daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother should be. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her legacy and memory will live on. “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, Iwill make thee ruler over ‘many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 KJVAcknowledgements A tremendous thanks go to the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church family for their prayers and support. ‘Thank you to Pastor Terry L. Arvie, Pamela Arvie, and the many members and friends of the Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church for their continued love of our family. ‘Weld like to extend a special thanks to John A. Woodruff M.D. and Nichelle Horton-Brown M.D. and their staff for their care and support of our mother. Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a floral piece, if s0, we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, ‘We thank you so much whatever the part. The Rogers Family Pallbearers Javin D. Rogers, Dwayne J. Rogers Clifton J. Conrad Rogers, Darnell J. Rogers J. Blake Rogers, Ryan J. Rogers Honorary Pallbearers ‘Tyrone Robinson, Deacon Sherwood Ellis Sr. Deacon Mel Clancy, Deacon Richard Brown Deacon Roy Dailey, Mt. Nebo Deacon Ministry Stephen Hawthorne , Mark Edward Smith David Townsend Services Entrusted to Braman Mortuary 1702 North 72 Street Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Internment Forest Lawn Cemetery 7909 Mormon Bridge Rd ‘Omaha 68152 Dinner will be served forthe family, out-of-town guests, pastors and their wives, and deaconsand their wivesin the church fellowship hall following the interment.