Cheryl Chamblee Rodgers, age 73, of Jonesborough, TN passed away after a courageous 26 year battle with cancer on April 15th, 2022, one day shy of her 74th Birthday.
She was born on April 16th,1948, in Jackson MS, but when she was very young her family moved to Birmingham, AL where she grew up in a God Loving Home.
She was preceded in death by her parents George Chamblee Sr. & Sarah Chamblee. Also by her loving husband of 51 years, Larry Rodgers. She is survived by her brothers George Jr. and Jimmy (Josie) and sons Ryan (Natalia) and Stephen (Diana) and her beloved grandchildren, Emma, Maddie, Noah, Dylan and Wylee Ann.
She graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham and then went on to graduate from Auburn University with a Degree in Nutrition Science. While she was attending Auburn she met her future husband Larry Rodgers on a blind date and they were happily married for 51 years.
After graduating she went to work at Montclair Baptist Hospital as a Dietician for several years. She then became a Stay at Home Mom raising her two boys, Ryan and Stephen until they were both in school. Cheryl went back to work as a Realtor for several years and then finally transitioned to her job as a Mortgage Broker for First Tennessee Bank. This is where she really flourished because of her great people skills and her natural ability to make new customers feel like they were old friends.
Cheryl continued that same spirit of friendship as she welcomed all the new neighbors that moved in to the neighborhood that her and Larry had built their Dream Home on the Crossings Golf Course. During this time of retirement she was able to spend a lot of quality time with her five Grandchildren, which were her true pride and joy and all the rest of her family and friends. She loved to play golf, read books and spend time with her book club friends, take long walks with her dog Pepper, knitting, all things Auburn, and most of all Family Vacations and Get Togethers.
Cheryl will be desperately missed by all those that she's left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this painful loss. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed!
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8
In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude or Feeding America, both of which Cheryl and Larry donated both time and money to for many years and felt much joy in doing so!
On April 15th, we lost a dear and courageous friend. Cheryl succumbed to her 26 year battle with breast cancer but did not go willingly. Despite her initial diagnosis in 1997 and her discovery that the tumor was inoperable Cheryl did not falter but continued to search for new types of treatments, took all the advice from her doctors and eventually learned that her type of cancer had not even been classified yet. She continued to have more treatments and had many good years left with frequent checkups, chemos etc. Her cancer now has a name - it's called a triple negative and is very rare. When the doctors told her of a new treatment that was available called a Cyber Knife she jumped on the chance. After a battle with Blue Cross she finally got it approved and she underwent the procedure. The last several years were the worst for her - trying all different chemos and getting various side effects. I am writing this because I wanted to show you how medical science and research and Cheryl's pursuance of new modes were what gave her the time she needed. A couple of months before she passed, she told me that she felt like God had given her a wonderful life - a loving husband for 51 years, seeing her children grow and marry and most importantly she got to spend time with her five grandchildren which were the lights of her life. Her memories of friendships, vacations, and the love she felt for all will stay with us. Au Revoir Cheryl
My condolences to all of you on the loss of this very special lady. I met her when all of you moved to Kingsport, because I worked with Larry. Cheryl was always so happy, kind & a joy to be around. Her light will be missed.
04/22/2022
Mary Lynn Mytrysak
My condolences to the family of Cheryl Chamblee Rogers. I never had the privilege of meeting Cheryl personally. However I feel like I did know her by all the wonderful things I heard about her from my sister Kathie Griffith. I am sure someday when the time comes I will meet her. I was told how be battled with her cancer. I am sure she is being held by Jesus and is no longer in pain. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Cheryl. Missing someone you loved is hard. May God be with all of you and the good memories you have will help you through this chapter of life.
04/21/2022
Nancy (Ray) Jackson
My heartfelt sympathy to Cheryl's family. We were neighbors on Beechwood Drive before they moved to Crossings Golf Course. They were great neighbors. Cheryl and Larry were upstanding Christians and a joy to have known! Blessings and Peace!
I had the pleasure of working with Cheryl for many years at First Tennessee! She was not only a co-worker but a good friend. She was so loving and kind, a very special lady!
04/20/2022
Jennie Gardner
I was so very blessed to have known Cheryl. I met her through playing golf at the “Crossings Golf Course “. I only met her a few years ago, but her kind and friendly personality made me feel as though we had been lifelong friends. I feel blessed to have known her as a friend and will always cherish my memories of her. Prayers for peace and comfort as her family endures this loss.
04/19/2022
Melissa Williams Noble
We do not know one another but I was very moved by your mom's obituary. What a special woman she must have been and you were blessed. My condolences as it is hard to lose our parents no matter how old we are at the time.
Peace of Christ,
Melissa
My condolences to the Rogers family. I worked with Cheryl at FTB in the early to late 90’s. Her obit describes her perfectly. Cheryl was one of the nicest women I ever knew. She always had a sense of style, which I admired, with the way she dressed and walked. A true southern lady. The world will not be the same without her. RIP Cheryl.
