Celebrating the Life of
Joyce Rodgers
October 19, 1944 — April 5, 2021
About Joyce
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation in Joyce’s name to Union Baptist Church at 128 Encerti Ave, Vallejo, CA 94589 -OR- go online to www.unionbaptistofvallejo.org/donations.htm (can’t use phone, must use a computer)
Obituary
Joyce Edna Rodgers was born October 19, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Robert R. Walker and Ethel M. Smith. Joyce was baptized at St. Luke Memorial Baptist Church on September 12, 1957 by the late Pastor J.L. House.
Joyce married Richard B. Rodgers on June 18, 1960. To this union two children were born - Marilyn Rene' and Richard Christopher in St. Louis, Missouri. She moved to San Francisco on November 8, 1968 and was employed by the City and County of San Francisco for 26 years as a dispatcher for the San Francisco Police Department. She also worked for the McAvoy Yacht Harbor after her retirement from the City.
Joyce joined Good Hope Baptist Church on December 13, 1984 under the leadership of Rev. Rance Whiteside where she was a Choir member, Vice President of the Choir, member of the Mission Society and Second Vice President Supervisor of the Youth Choir. In 1990, Joyce moved to Vallejo, CA and continued to commute to Good Hope for 12 years until she joined Union Baptist Church in Vallejo on November 4, 2001 under the leadership of Rev. J.W. McCoy where she became a member of the Missions Ministry and served as Secretary of Senior Missions and member of the Pastor’s Aide group.
Joyce enjoyed spending time with her family, most notably her grandchildren. As the matriarch of a prominent football family, Joyce led the squad in cheering for any member of the family on the field or on the sidelines, marshalling the forces while engaging in ever-entertaining rivalries and fun encouragement. She served her church with energetic grace and compassion. Joyce embodied the Christian mandate to love one another because He has first loved us. For this reason, she left her indelible fingerprints on each life that intersected her own.
Joyce is survived by her dearest friend and sister, Maggie L. Myles; her loving children, Marilyn R. Byrd and her husband Gill, and Richard C. Rodgers and his wife Sara; her cherished grandchildren, Gill II and Jairus of Marilyn and Gill, Kayla (Maurice), Richard II, and Damon of Richard and Mindy Mashore Rodgers, and Noah and Evan of Richard and Sara Rodgers; her beloved great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Bailey, Jai, Berkeley, and Adalynn; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who are too numerous to mention but who also carry her love and kindness with them always.
Services
Wake/Viewing
Monday, April 19, 2021, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm PST
Wiggins-Knipp Funeral Home
*THE VIEWING IS IN-PERSON ONLY, AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS MUST BE ADHERED TO*
Memorial Service
Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST
Wiggins-Knapp Funeral Home, 524 Capitol Street, Vallejo, CA 94590
Interment/Gravesite Service
Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PST
Skylawn Memorial Park
Skylawn Memorial Park: Highway 92 & Skyline Blvd San Mateo, CA 94402
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Fall 2016
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
Fall 2016 - Panthers Football game with Evan
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
June 2012 - Richard & Sara's wedding
Fall 2013 - Cal Football
Fall 2013 - Cal Football
Chris' graduation from Nativity School Worcester, MA June 2009
Chris' graduation from Nativity School Worcester, MA June 2009
July 2009
Tampa Bay 2018
July 2012
Panthers vs. Green Bay Fall 2017
Joyce & friends
Panthers vs Green Bay Charlotte, NC Dec 2017
Panthers vs Green Bay Charlotte, NC Dec 2017
Panthers vs Green Bay Charlotte, NC Dec 2017
Super Bowl 50 San Jose, CA Feb 2015
Super Bowl 50 San Jose, CA Feb 2015
Richard & Sara's wedding Worcester, MA June 2012
Richard & Sara's wedding Worcester, MA June 2012
Richard & Sara's wedding Worcester, MA June 2012
Richard & Sara's wedding Worcester, MA June 2012
Maggie and Joyce Sunday after Church St. Louis Missouri 2014
I hold you all in my Heart - your Mom was such a wonderful funny good kind woman! I am so blessed to have known her - may the memories and the knowledge of her love for you last forever.
JR and some of the 9-1-1 gang. Joyce, Jackie, Connie, Vickey, Judy, and Kerry. JR was the matriarch! Classy, funny, loving.
Joyce was more than just a cousin / more like a Auntie and 2nd mother to me We were like road dogs I love to make sure she got to every college/ pro football game she wanted to attend. We talked about more the sports. We talked about life. She always let you know how it is good or bad. She was always there for me. Thank you for being there for me and my family. Joyce I love you and I miss you.
After church one Sunday with my Mother and Godmother. Oh yeah Marilyn, Richard and little Rachel too. Mid to late 70’s.
Family time 🖤
I gave her this baby plant, a cutting from my big one. When she went to visit Maggie she brought it to me @ the church to care for until she returned. I've had it every since & I will continue to take care it with much love. I've named it "Joyce" after my "sister girlfriend."
To Marilyn, Gill and family, May the most precious memories of a beautiful life, bring comfort and peace. Sending warm and caring thoughts and our deepest sympathy. With much love, Lex, Shannon, Hannah and Christian
To the Byrd and Rogers families. We pray you sense God’s loving, strong and comforting arms holding you as you travel through this time of grief. We are so thankful to have witnessed Grandma J’s quiet yet strong, caring and supportive spirit when she would visit San Diego. She played her role as a loving mom, Grandmother and mother-in-law very well. What an awesome example of living Christ like in the various positions of life God gives to us. May you cherish those memories and carry on her legacy. In His grip! The Ware Family
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