Eloise (Mrs. Dan) Rogers

Eloise (Mrs. Dan) Rogers was born March 20, 1924 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Marvin E. and Lola (Pearson) Blaylock. She passed from this life Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the age of 91. She was the youngest of three girls and had one younger brother; Eloise was the only survivor of her immediate family. She is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Dan Rogers of their Tulsa home; their children, Chris Ellen Rogers of Langley, OK and her 4 children, Bradley A. Rogers and his wife, Karen of Lewisville, TX (a suburb of Dallas) and their 2 children; and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by literally hundreds of close and loving friends who will miss her greatly.

Eloise met Dan, the love of her life, when she was a high school sophomore and Dan was a junior in Ft. Smith, AR. At the suggestion of a mutual friend, Dan rode his bicycle across town to call on Eloise, whom he had never met. As the friend predicted, they fell in love and planned to marry after high school. World War II interfered, but only briefly when Dan felt the call to service. They concluded the war wouldn’t last forever so they married after her graduation, spent two months together, then Dan and the friend who “got them together” enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (predecessor to the Air Force). Three and a half years of separation only solidified their love. Dan returned from service in Europe and they settled in Tulsa where she encouraged Dan to go to college. As usual, she got her way and Dan eventually received his law degree from O.U. in 1950, the same month Eloise completed her job as secretary to the Director of the O.U. School of Music.

In addition to being the anchor of Dan’s life, Eloise was active in volunteer work, having served as President of the Senior Board of Tulsa Cerebral Palsy; Associate President of her PEO Chapter; Board of Directors member of Frances E. Willard Home for Girls; and co-president of Wesley Fellowship class and regular member of the Administrative Board of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church where she and Dan were active and supportive members from January of 1946 until her death. Her hobbies included her regular exercise classes and her always faithful Bible study. When she meets some of her many friends in heaven they may well greet her with these words: “We know you aren’t surprised to see us because you sent us here.”

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in her memory to Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Music Dept., 1301 S Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119.