Sara Jean Hilton Rogers, widow of Billy Gordon Rogers, died on Thursday, February 7, 2013.  Mrs. Rogers was born in Dillon County on December 11, 1927 and was the daughter of the late John Rather Hilton and Sadie Hicks Hilton.
Mrs. Rogers graduated from Dillon High School in 1945 and Furman University in 1949, where she was a member of The Furman Singers, and on the Dean’s List.  A lifelong, active, and devoted member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, Mrs. Rogers served in many capacities including being a member of the WMU, A Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher and Bible School Teacher, and a fifty-year soprano soloist and choir member.  She was a former school teacher with the Lake View School System and the owner and operator of Campbell Kindergarten for 27 years.
A supportive wife for her husband’s many years of active participation and commitment to his community, church, and civic organizations, Mrs. Rogers was also active as a member of the McLeod-Dillon Hospital Auxiliary, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Daughters of the American Revolution.  She served as chairman of the Dillon County Crippled Children’s Society, was a charter member and president of the Glove and Trowel Garden Club, a Cub Scout Leader, and a charter member of Huntington Society of Brookgreen Gardens.
She is survived by daughter, Jeannie Rogers Shelley (David Earl) of Latta, and sons, Billy Gordon Rogers, Jr. (Debbie) of Lake View and Devitt Hicks Rogers of Charlotte.  In addition to her children, she leaves to cherish her memories, seven grandchildren: Monica Jean Shelley (Marc) Calello, III, Sara Elizabeth Shelley (David) Stokes, Margaret Kirby Shelley (Matt) Davis, Erica Jocelyn Rogers (Ben) Renfrow, Billy Gordon Rogers, III, Sara Bryant Rogers, and Jordan Manly Rogers, and eleven great-grandchildren; Ava Grace Calello, Thomas Earl Calello, Marc Oliver Calello, Emeth Kai Calello, Brayden McCoy Renfrow, Ella Wallace Renfrow, Hampton Grey Renfrow, Reece Ayden Stokes, Ansley Grace Stokes, Colson Hayes Davis, and Paden Ensley Davis.
Mrs. Rogers is survived by her brothers, John David Hilton (June) of New Cumberland, West Virginia and William Henry Hilton (Nancy) of Graham, NC.  She was predeceased in death by her husband of 61 years and a grandson, Devitt Hicks Rogers, Jr.
Mrs. Rogers’ family is grateful for the devoted and loving care and friendship offered to their mother for the past 2 1/2years from Ms. Bertha Manning and Ms. Carolyn McLellan.
Funeral services for Mrs. Rogers were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Lake HView, SC, with the Reverend Austin Wynn officiating.  Following interment at Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, the family received visitors in the Fellowship Hall of the Church.
Memorials may be made to the Rogers Fund and sent to Piney Grove Baptist Church, 152 Piney Grove Road, Lake View, SC 29563.