Thelma Louise Rogers

Deacon Thelma Louise Rogers 72, of Waterloo crossed over to greet the Lord on October 28th, 2020 at Mercy One Hospital.
She was born February 29th, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Harold Rogers and Theresa Lee Rogers. The oldest of her siblings, she is the matriarch of the family.
At an early age, Louise loved to sing and dress up. This became her outlet for spending time as a young lady enjoying the night life with her friends and bartending as well. She was married twice and had 3 sons; 2 from the first marriage to Harry McNeal and then 1 with George Gray in her second marriage. Although she was born and raised in Milwaukee, she moved to Waterloo at the direction on her father in 1983 and has spent the last 37 years here in the Black Hawk County community.
Louise attended Riverside HS but was unable to finish high school because she was taking care of her siblings. However, she eventually completed her GED in Iowa. She was always a hard worker and would take on multiple jobs to make sure her family was taken care of. She loved makeup and jewelry, so she started working in retail and found that to be something that she loved to do. She had a great smile and always was concerned for others so she would quickly make friends and find ways to help and support initiatives in the community. Owning her first home brought her joy and she experienced even greater joy when she sold that one to own her current home on Bruce Lane. Louise has also been highly active in her Church, Ambassadors of Christ, where she has served and been by Pastor Scott’s side – who she called “Sunshine” for over 25 years. She has served as a Deacon for 10 years and has done many other jobs in the church. She is a true servant of the Lord. She fostered so many relationship with her church family and adopted many of them into her family; TT, Moms, Auntie, Weezy, Deacon McGruff, were some of the names given to Louise, but the greatest of them all is Friend.

Louise is survived by her three Sons; Dimitrius McNeal of Waterloo, IA, Eric (Lolita) McNeal of Atlanta, GA and GG (Charlissa) McNeal of Milwaukee, WI; her God Daughter, Deshaune Jackson of Milwaukee, WI; 13 Grandchildren; 7 Great Grandchildren; five Sisters, Lenora (Melvin) Grant of Milwaukee, Phyllis Rogers of Chicago, Marilyn Rogers of Wilmington, Artainia (Barry) Givens of Atlanta, and Stephanie Rogers of Atlanta; Eight brothers, Harold Rogers of Milwaukee, Gary Rogers of Wilmington, Woody Rogers of Oakland, Russell Rogers of Milwaukee, Ricky Rogers of Sacramento, Benjamin Rogers of Milwaukee, Billy Rogers of Milwaukee and Tyrone Rogers of Milwaukee. She has a bunch of nephews and nieces and a host of loving relatives, church family and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Leonard Rogers; paternal grandparents LC and Theresa Lee, maternal grandparents, Harry Stovall and Fannie McNeal; and paternal parents, Harold Rogers and Theresa Lee Rogers.
Louise enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved her boys, and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would always travel to Milwaukee or Atlanta to be with them during the holidays or any special occasion. They are her babies! She also enjoyed spending time with her sisters, whether it was going bingo, the casino or playing Yahtzee, they would also find time to be together. She loved hard and always tried to keep a smile on her face. She has a beautiful smile; some would say the face of an angel when she flashed those pearly whites. She also loved to cook her fried chicken dinner with French fries, corn, and biscuits. This was always a family favorite. She had a warm heart and often extended her hands to help others without judgement. The devastating loss of Louise will forever be felt in our hearts. Her service could be compared to the fruits of the spirit; her gentleness could be seen through her love, joy and peace; Her patience with those she worked with was everlasting; Her goodness, kindness and gentleness were seen in her mannerism and approach with people. Louise rest well and know you will forever be loved.