Donell Rogers

Donell Rogers was born in Bearden, Arkansas on Tuesday, July 12, 1955. He was the fifth child born to the union of Ben and Irene Gilder Rogers. The Rogers family later moved to Bearden.  His parents were highly respected in Bearden and they taught their children self-respect and respect of others. Donell accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church in Bearden under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Hayes where he was a life-long member and was a member of the male chorus. 

He grew up in Bearden and was widely known as “Heavy D”. Donell was a 1974 graduate of Bearden High School. He excelled as a student and grew up to be an athletic and handsome young man. He played offensive-tackle for the football team and helped put Bearden High School on the map for sports. He met the beautiful and soft-spoken Linda Ann Gardner. After an appropriate period of courtship, they were married on December 22, 1984. The Lord blessed their union with three children. 

Donell was a great provider having worked for Anthony Timberland for over 20 years. He was a loving and dedicated husband. He modeled the true meaning of a father that left a lasting impression on his children Courtney and Mariane. He was constant in their lives while providing wise counsel, guidance, and knowledge.

His hobbies included watching sports, detailing cars, and grilling. He dominated the dominoes table and enjoyed beating both the young and the old. One of his greatest joys was spending memorable moments with relatives and friends. He will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and friends. He possessed a friendly spirit and never met a stranger. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. His natural wit and humor could never be duplicated.

Family, as well as friends, will miss his strength, infectious smile and laughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Jamar Donell Rogers – June 22, 1985; his siblings, Bennie Jean Turner, Gertrude Golden, Sammy Leslie Rogers and Rodney Allen Rogers; his paternal grandparents, Buster and Leslie "Lessie" Woods Rogers and his maternal grandparents, Albert and Dora Hadnot Gilder.

His life was full and he was truly sincere in heart. The memory of his existence will forever be woven into the lives of those who were blessed to know him. He leaves his beautiful wife, Linda Ann Rogers of 35 plus years of Bearden; two children, Courtney Donte Rogers and his wife, Tracie of Fordyce and Mariane Latrese Rogers of Little Rock; a granddaughter, Skyler Page Smith; four sisters, Linda Jean Lambert (Phillip), Bettie Sue Berry and Dora Lee Rogers all of Bearden, and Doris Ann Williams (Edward) of Camden; three brothers, Theodis Ben Rogers, Jr. (June) of Camden, Raymond Buster Rogers (Gloria) of Little Rock and John Albert Rogers, Sr. (Gwendolyn) of Camden; and an aunt, Dorothy Gilder of Detroit, MI; and a special cousin, Robert Lee Gilder. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, Jimmy Lee Caldwell, Jr., Dexter Mays, David Golden, Ronnie Gibbs, Greg Waller, Anthony Grandy, Wilkie Porchia, Stan Golden and Vern Wright; numerous other friends and the First Missionary Baptist Church family.

Active pallbearers will be his nephews Andre Rogers, Nicholas Thompson, Verna R. Thompson Jr., Chekehl Reynolds, Jonathan Young, Rickey Brown, Kenny Rogers, Jordan Deloach, Tavarious Hall, Julius Rogers, Anthony Rogers, Jamond Young and Kentrel Rogers. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends Gregory Waller, Ronnie Gibbs, Jimmy Lee Caldwell, Jr., Wilkie Porchia, David Golden, Stanley Golden, Dexter Mays, Anthony Grandy, Vernon Lee Wright and Vernon Hall. Floral escorts will be his nieces.

Public visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren. Due to the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic and the directives from the Governor's Office State of Arkansas please do not linger. Please pay your respects and leave so others may have the chance to enter the funeral home. A Celebration of his life will at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2020 on the campus of First Missionary Baptist Church in Bearden. Interment will be at New Cemetery in Rison, Arkansas under the direction of Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden, Arkansas with Moderator Vernon Thompson, eulogist.