Olevia Batiste Rogers was born to Victoria (Doyal) Batiste and Walter Joseph Batiste on April 24, 1932 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Olevia was baptized by Rev. Alfred Charles Moore of Greater Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and at a young age, became the pianist and organist for the church. She received a Lifetime Membership and celebrated more than 60 years of dedicated Christian service to Greater Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. Olevia received her high school diploma from Lowery High School in Donaldsonville and entered Southern University in September 1950. With her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, Olevia taught in Iberville Parish in Tateville, Louisiana in 1954 under the late Dr. Emily E. Brazier, who inspired her to become a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Olevia moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1956 where she began teaching in the Chicago Public Schools and taking courses in the University of Chicago Graduate School. In 1958 Olevia Batiste was joined in Holy Matrimony to Walter E. Rogers of Atlanta, Georgia and they raised two children, Darryl and Emily.
Olevia became a supervisor of student teachers for teachers from Chicago Teachers College, Roosevelt University and The Associated Colleges of the Midwest. She was a director for one of the first Headstart programs in Chicago. Olevia was also a charter member of Zeta Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in Chicago.
The Rogers Family moved to Saudi Arabia in 1969 and resided in Riyadh for close to 30 years. Mrs. Rogers was a trailblazer; she pursued her passion for education in Chicago while concurrently maintaining her children’s education as well as their family household in Saudi Arabia. Olevia became known for her work at the American Embassy as Counselor for Higher Education. She later worked in Continuous Education for the University of Nebraska assisting many Saudi students.
She enjoyed memberships in the Al Wafah and Al Nahda Women Societies in Riyadh, The Women’s Club of Sewickley Valley, Southern University Alumni Federation and The American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was awarded the Belle Ringer Image Role Model Award for her philanthropic work with the Bennett College Parents Association. Olevia was active her entire life enjoying acting, painting, contract bridge, dancing, antique collecting, traveling, bowling and tennis.
Olevia was a bright, shining soul and she departed this life quietly on May 15, 2021. She is preceded in death by: Walter E. Rogers, her husband of 54 years; her cherished granddaughter the late Angelique I. Watson; her parents, the late Walter Joseph Batiste and the late Victoria Josephine (Doyal) Batiste; and her beloved sisters; Amelia Batiste, Shirley Mae (Batiste) Fogan and Ethel Mae (Batiste) Holmes.
She is survived by her loving son, Darryl E. Rogers (Ret. Col. USAF) of Las Vegas, Nevada; loving daughter, Emily E. Rogers, of Tampa, Florida; devoted grandchildren; Dustin E. Rogers, Amelia T. Watson and Chloe O. Rogers; dear brother-in-law, Jerrell (Edith) Rogers of Atlanta, Georgia; loving sister-in-law Eufaula Barron of San Diego, California and loving nieces and nephews of The Fogan, Holmes, Rogers, Barron, and Wood Families. She leaves fond memories of her god daughter Genesis Nicole Pate of Chicago, Illinois; Lowery High School classmates; and her extended family of several hundred dear and lifelong international friends and colleagues.
All who knew Olevia Rogers and her Family are welcome to share remembrances and post expressions of love online at: https://www.brazierwatson.com/
Celebration of Life and Memorial Service:
Saturday, June 19, 2021
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (CST)
Greater Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church
926 St. Patrick Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Sr. Pastor Rev. Timothy Campbell Officiating
*The Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will also be live streamed on the
Greater Mt. Pilgrim B.C. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Greater-Mount-Pilgrim-Baptist-Church-1423297871069821
Food and Fellowship immediately following the Memorial Service.
Final Resting Place & Inurnment:
Olevia Batiste Rogers will be inurned with her late husband, Walter E. Rogers in a graveside service on Monday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m. (EST) at College Park Cemetery, 3600 North Adams, College Park, GA 30337
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The Rogers Family requests that all cards, contributions, and other expressions of condolences be mailed to:
Emily Rogers
P.O. Box 45063
Tampa, FL 33677
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