PORTLAND, Tenn. – The Lord received into heaven his beloved child, Judy Hatcher Rogers, on Saturday, Aug. 5.

She had valiantly battled many medical complications following a stroke 12 years ago. The angels welcomed her into heaven along with her beloved grandmother, Era Hatcher and her deceased father, Ivan Hatcher, two saints she dearly loved and have missed since their deaths.

She was born Aug. 26, 1942, in Biloxi, Miss., the oldest daughter of Inez and Ivan Hatcher. She and her family traveled due to her father’s job. She attended high school at Wade Hampton High School, where she met her high school sweetheart, Joseph R. Rogers. They were married on Sept. 5, 1959. Judy and Joe were blessed with a son, Joseph R. Rogers Jr., on Sept. 3, 1963, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Judy and her family traveled due to Joe’s work, but settled in New Gloucester in the mid-1970s. Judy obtained her bachelor’s degree in education and taught elementary school in New Gloucester.

Judy and Joe moved to Tucson, Ariz., where she was a licensed real estate agent. They later moved to Brunson, S.C., where Judy taught handicapped adults. Judy and Joe resided in Portland, Tenn., at the time of her death.

Judy is survived by her husband, Joseph R. Rogers Sr.; her son, Joseph R. Rogers Jr.; her mother-in-law, Mary Rogers of Barnwell, S.C.; her sister-in-law, Ruth Boles; her siblings, Sue Hatcher Hodges of Portland, Tenn., Tom Hatcher of Portland, Tenn., Margaret Greer of Decatur, Ala., Cindy Bass of Mountain City, Tenn., Virginia Barnes of St. Louis, Mo.; and her grandchildren, Savannah Rogers of Tucson, Ariz., Brianna Rogers of Waterville, Kaylee Jean Rogers and Maggie Jo Rogers, Ryan and Matti Knipp of Tucson, Ariz.

Her many nieces, nephews, cousins and family will miss the unique flavor that she had for life. Judy was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with and will be missed by all.