Verna (Pitts) Rogers

Funeral service for Verna Rogers, 89 of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at First Assembly of God Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will be at Prairie Grove Cemetery at 2:00 PM in Prairie Grove, Arkansas under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Verna Inez Rogers was born on July 9, 1932 in Clyde, Arkansas to Nora Eleanor (West) Pitts and Charles William Pitts and passed away on August 20, 2021 in Vian, Oklahoma. She always honored and remembered her country roots as she tested the limits of possibility as an individual and a professional. She was married to Thomas G. Rogers on September 3, 1950 in Springdale, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2012.

Mrs. Rogers was a first class music educator holding a Bachelor of Music Education from Oral Roberts University and certificates from Music Teachers National Association Certificate in Piano, National Guild of Piano Teachers from the American College of Musicians, and Oklahoma Music Teachers Association. She built a thriving artist community of students and teachers at her School of Fine Arts in Broken Arrow and in her retirement continued to pass along the gift of piano lessons to others until she was 80 years of age.

Verna and her husband Tom were adventurous travelers, having traveled around the US and Europe. Together they undertook the adventure of raising three girls, each of them gifted and talented in their own ways. Working hard to give her daughters opportunities, Verna also took opportunities for herself by returning to college after her girls were old enough and building a world class musical learning business.

Striving for the best for her and her family, she led by example in her professional, personal, and spiritual life. A member of First Assembly of God Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was only the latest of church homes that she adopted as part of her journey of faith. Though most notably known for her musicality, Verna’s music was simply an extension of boundless faith. She sang of the faithfulness of God even as her body failed her and declared her faith in the promises of Christ. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, dying as she had lived, surrounded by family, faith and music.

Survivors are 3 daughters and 2 sons in law: Debbie and Dennis Sprouse of Sallisaw, OK, Valerie and Rev. Philip Eberhart of Centennial, CO and Thesa Loving of Sallisaw, OK; 4 grandchildren: Abby Sprouse, Daniel Sprouse, Alyssia Cox and Kiersten Schoales; 1 great grandchild: Kinsley Erin Cox; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law: Joel Shannon Utley and her son: Leslie Stephen Rogers and her husband: Thomas G. Rogers

Pallbearers will be Dennis Sprouse, Daniel Sprouse, Danny Anderson, Harold Powell, Zachary Reed and Charles Pitts.

Viewing will be 10 am – 8 pm Wednesday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw where the family will greet 5 – 7 pm.