Dorothy Rachel Rogers was born June 23, 1931 in Durham, Kansas and passed away September 25, 2018 at the age of 87. She was the only daughter born to Sam and Lena Rogers. When she was a teenager, the family moved to Oklahoma, living in the Jet and Nash area. Dorothy’s father died when she was 16 and as her mother was in ill health, Dorothy resided for a few years with Troy and Myrtle Davidson before her admission to the Enid State School where she resided for 13 years and was later relocated to the Cherokee Memorial Manor in 1967.
In 1980, Carolyn Stands of Cherokee became her legal guardian after they had met while Carolyn was visiting residents of the nursing home. Dorothy and Carolyn started their relationship over “ice cream dates” to the Dairy Mart as Dorothy always enjoyed treats and outings. Over the past four decades, Dorothy became a much loved member of the Stands family, spending birthdays and holidays with them and enjoying special gifts and time with their children and grandchildren.
As she got older, Dorothy moved to the Sunny Side Center in Enid, then Enid Group Homes, and since 1998 has lived with two good friends and their caretakers together in Enid.
Dorothy is survived by members of the Stands family including Dean and Carolyn Stands, Karen and Ronnie Eckhardt, Dennis and Diane Ferrell, Tom and Cheryl Evans, Gordon and Jackie Stands along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also was blessed with special friends from her group home including Jennifer Lorenz and Carol Stansill along with caregivers Vera Branch and Kyla Moulton and her church family at Bible Baptist Church of Enid.
She is predeceased by her parents, Sam and Lena Rogers, and brothers Henry, Charles, Elmer and Benny. Dorothy’s sweet smile and friendly personality helped her make many friends over the years throughout northwest Oklahoma. She loved many people and her love was returned.
Dorothy enjoyed people, going to church, crafts, newspapers, taking pictures and posing for pictures. Some might see only her special needs, but those that knew her were aware that she was “simply special.” She had long life filled with good times and tough times, but she was fully aware of her future. The day before she passed, she was reciting to herself, “One, two, three, Jesus loves me.”
The funeral will be at Bible Baptist Church in Enid at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2018 with the services under the direction of Ladusau Evans Funeral Home, with interment following at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery.