Jonathan Wayne Rodgers Sr.

Born July 2, 1956 in Mobile Alabama to Tyler and Jean Rodgers, Jonathan Wayne Rodgers, Sr. was raised in Alabama before rising as Corporal in his service with the United States Marine Corps. John married his sweetheart Mary Reid on July 12th, 1975, and they completed a tour of service in Okinawa, Japan, where their first child was born. After completing his active duty in Beaufort, South Carolina, John and Mary moved to Greenville where they raised their 9 children. John's skills allowed him to work in many industries, but he loved his work with technology and computer services. He was honored to work for ScanSource for over 17 years. He served in the A/V ministry at Mount Calvary Baptist Church for over two decades. The delight of John's heart was his family, especially his grandchildren.
Almost every photo of John was snapped with chaos all around: surrounded by his big, loud family that he adored. He used his height to keep a watchful eye, but everyone close knew he was a teddy bear under the strong presentation. “Papaw” was most often quietly holding (and always smuggling food to) the grandbabies and occasionally "calling down" the volume of nearby debates. He used his strong, clear voice to dictate reason and weave witty jokes; he made Christmas gifts of priceless recordings of himself reading books to his grandchildren, and delighted everyone with his storytelling.

His eye-roll was legendary. His famous throat-clear could instantly still a family of 40 (or inspire attentiveness with his team in the church sound room.) His prayers made you cry, his sense of humor would make you chuckle for days. He hated to be fussed over, so his medical decline in his late years annoyed him immensely. He wrung every last bit of strength out of his failing body and gave us a chance to know his end would be soon: God is gracious, but oh, it was so soon.

He was the richest of men: he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary; his 9 children, 5 “outlaws,” and 26 grandchildren: Pastor Jonathan Jr. and Crystal Rodgers (Wesley, Hudson, Paton, Maria Grace, Borden, Amelia, Chapman and Martyn); Mary Ellen Doyel (Daniel, Hannah and Abigail), Anna Rodgers, Ruth and Lance Bastian (Christopher, Bobby and Jeremiah), Thomas and Katie Rodgers (Addelyn, Caelyn, Haddon, Emmelyn and Autumn); Lydia Rodgers, Sarah and David Rogers (Joanna, Natalie, Dwayne, Delvin, and Ivan); Rachel and Joe McLaughlin (Magnolia and Arabelle); and Stephen Rodgers.
John lived Micah 6:8: he loved justice, he loved mercy, and he walked humbly with his God. John’s faith was in his Savior, Jesus Christ: and he taught his generations of this faith. On Wednesday, January 27th, 2021, John and Mary were at home and finished quoting Psalm 23 together (a nightly event). As Mary prayed, John mentioned having a pain. Shortly after, John was with the Lord, having suffered a heart attack. The last Bible words he heard were, "And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever," and in a matter of a few moments, "forever" began.
The funeral service with military honors will be on Tuesday, February 2nd, at 2pm. The service will be at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on Cedar Lane Road, Greenville, South Carolina. Visitation to greet the family will begin at 12:30pm. Livestream of the funeral service will be available online at www.mountcalvarybaptist.org/sermons