IRMA VIRGINIA ROGERS was the sixth child of eight born to the late James L. and Florence A. Rogers at 1846 Eagle St. in Southwest Baltimore. Along with the siblings she dearly loved, she was raised at 1834 Eagle St. and thrived through the days of segregation and the "great depression." Irma was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and attended a one-room school on Sharp St. in South Baltimore, Joseph H. Lockerman Elementary (#100), Booker T. Washington, Jr. (#130) and Douglass High Schools (#450). Her favorite subjects were reading and geography and the least was math. In the third grade, she was featured in an article in the "Carroll Times" for her great performance in a play at School #100. She had a beautiful handwriting. During her childhood she loved to play jacks, shoot marbles with her brothers, play dodge ball and with her dolls. She loved to dance the lindy-hop, jitterbug, black-bottom and did the huck-a-buck on her 95th birthday. During WWII she frequently danced with the soldiers at the USO Clubs. She enjoyed going to watch her brother (Mouse- a.k.a. Chief), a cousin and Leon Day play baseball for the Elite Giants in the Negro League. She gave birth to her one and only child, (the late) Russell (Boopie) R. Rogers. Irma met and married Stoney Jackson; the marriage ended in divorce. There were no children from this union; however, Irma became the godmother of one of Stoney's nieces which she named "Irma." Irma was employed in her young adult years at restaurants and bakeries. She was recognized for her pound cakes and her famous cookies sugar, peanut butter and chocolate chip. For decades she made these cookies during the Christmas season for her family, friends, co-workers, patients, etc. She even sent cookies to her nephews during their military deployments overseas. On numerous occasions family members asked for her recipe, but she said she'd leave it in her will. During WWII she worked as a welder one of "Rosie the Riveter." Her main career was an aide in the psychiatric department of University Hospital. She retired circa 1983 with nearly 30 years of service. Her awards include Certificates of Service from the State Department of Maryland in the years 1969, 1974 and 1979; Certificate of Appreciation from the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City in 1974, Certificate of Commendation Afro Mrs. Santa Program, 1974 and a Resolution from the City Council of Baltimore, 1995. In her twenties she was bitten by the "travel bug;" and began to travel. She traveled all across the United States and even Puerto Rico. Atlantic City, N.J. was her favorite place to "hang out"- particularly at the slot machines. During her early travels, she collected salt and pepper shakers from various tourist attractions. She also was a doll collector and displayed them on a sofa and throughout her residence. In her "hey days" Irma was a street skater (ball bearings No. 5) and used to skate to and from school, a roller skater and for many years bowled duckpins at Lafayette Bowling Lanes. She enjoyed attending bull roasts, fairs and cultural festivals with her family, friends and co-workers. One Sunday afternoon, (at the tender age of ten) she was taken by a neighbor (Miss Sis), on a visit to a small church in South Baltimore. Unexpectedly, it was there that Irma gave her life to Christ and was baptized. From the age of 12 until her passing she was a respected member of Evergreen A.M.E. Church. There she sang on the choir, participated on committees and in events, as well as supported and/or contributed to all fundraisers. She was given a Certificate of Appreciation in 1996 for 37 years of unbroken service to the Gospel Choir. She was the last living member of a social club of the church women which was in existence for decades. Irma hosted annual Christmas parties at her home that were attended by her club and family members, friends and co-workers. Those parties were spirited and memorable. In her early twenties, (when she was helping to care for her injured sister) Irma's life-long calling/purpose (to care for and/or minister to the sick and the shut-in) was revealed to her. She not only cared for sick relatives, friends, co-workers and patients, but mere strangers, too. She was known as "Miss Lady" to the residents to whom (on a weekly basis) she brought fruit and slices of homemade cake, in nursing homes on Eutaw and S. Charles Streets. Circa 1983, she was nominated for her missionary work and service to others, by her niece, Monica, and was a recipient of the WJZ-TV Channel 13 Gold Salute (presented by Richard Scher and filmed outside of Irma's then Bolton Street dwelling). Aunt Irma was sassy, jazzy, classy and a snazzy dresser. She always wore a hat or a tarn (cocked to the side) on her head. She had spunk and could be feisty "took no tea for a fever." "Back in the day," there were times when she was known to "go on the warpath." She said it was the Indian in her. Because of her beautiful "gams" (legs and her identifiable regal/royal strut), in the late 60's she was affectionately nicknamed "Duchess" by her sister, Lula. Aunt Irma gave family members nicknames, too. And, those names "stuck" whether the person she named liked it or not! She named Eagles St. "Tombstone Territory." Duchess was a giver of her time, talents, finances, thoughtfulness and prayers. If she did something for you or gave you something, know that it was from her heart. She had a memory like an elephant. She always sent cards and/or hand written notes to her family members for birthdays and other occasions. She signed them, "Fondly, Aunt Irma." Her only regrets in life were that she never bought a car (said she "could buy 5 of them at one time if she wanted to") and not going to visit Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Told that she had legs like the girls in Ipanema she wanted to see and make the comparison for herself. Four months ago, Aunt Irma was interviewed and asked by her great-great niece (Michayla Webb's 5th grade Social Studies project - The Monarch of Your Family), "How would you like to be remembered?-" Aunt Irma replied, As a person who tried "to help somebody as I traveled along the way, then my living shall not he in vain." Surrounded by her loving family, who sang for her songs of praise, her final gesture in this life was to lift her hands in praise. ... And this was Her story Her life was her song. Irma's now praising her Savior, all the day long. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish the memories: grandson, Russell R. Rogers (Chucky) Jr.; great-granddaughter, Tamika S. Rogers; great-great-grandson, Russell R. Rogers, III (CJ); and great-great-great-granddaughter, Nevaeh A. Rogers; nieces, Janis Mims, Linda Smith, Monica Pinkett, Shellery Washington, Priscilla McCraw and Gladys Fields; nephews-Roger Brock, Wayne Brock, Noel Rozzell, Russell R. Rogers, Jr. (Bunky) and Leslie Drummond; great-nieces and -nephews include, but are not limited to Andre Minor, Norma Melvin and Michael Jenson; as well as a host of great-great-nieces and -nephews, a host of other relatives, several friends that include Annie Haynes and George (Fox) Baskerville; former co-workers and the congregation of Evergreen A.M.E. Church. Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Thursday, September 19, 2013 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Morning Star baptist Church Friday, September 20, 2013 10:30 AM Email Details 1023 W. Fayette St.
Baltimore, MD Funeral to begin @ 11:00 am Directions