Willa Mae Freeman Rogers: Obituary

Willa Mae Freeman Rogers, born on March 23rd, 1923 went to be with her Lord on November 5th, 2016.

Willa Mae was the daughter of the late Lon Freeman and Mary Jane King, and was born in Bryson City, NC. Her family moved to Clay County when she was thirteen along with her eleven brothers and sisters.

She was of strong Baptist faith, and a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Willa Mae was a hard worker and had many incredible stories of growing up during the Great Depression. She was a seamstress and worked at ACI, Carolina Dress, and Peachtree Products. She enjoyed reading, writing, gardening, and canning her own food.

Willa Mae married the late Jake Rogers and they had five children together. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Hilda Marr and one son, Tim Rogers, one granddaughter, Orzona Fisher, one grandson, Jamie Rogers and great granddaughter, Emma Silvers, four sisters and four brothers.

Surviving are three sons, Zane Rogers, Jimmy Rogers and wife, Inky, and Ricky Rogers and wife, Sherrie; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Rogers; a sister, Maxine Allen; and two brothers, Donald Freeman and Billy Freeman.

Willa Mae was a beloved grandmother affectionately called Mammaw to five granddaughters, Becky Crisp, Amanda Eshelman, Tina Cantrell, Marie Gunther, and Heather Rogers; four grandsons, Clint, Gary, Stacy, and Michael Rogers; six great granddaughters, Amber Harrell, Brooklyn Molly, Savannah Jones, Aiden Jones, Ariana Rogers and Gabriella Rogers; and six great grandsons, Travis Rogers, Josh Silvers, Nate Rogers, Jacob Rogers, Jacob Jones, and Jacob Crisp. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2016 at Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with Rev. Aud Brown officiating. The interment was in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gary, Stacy, Michael, Clint, and Travis Rogers, and Josh Silvers. Honorary pallbearers were Jacob and Nate Rogers.

The family received friends from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Monday at Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville prior to the service.

Family requests memorials be made in memory of Willa Mae Rogers to: New Hope Cemetery Fund, c/o Debbie L. Mills, 574 Carter Cove Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.