Doris “Joanne” Rodgers went home to the loving arms of her Savior on September 7, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at the Kingswood Nursing Home in Kansas City, Missouri.
Joanne was born February 23, 1934, a daughter of late Samuel Edward and Eunice Ramah (Boyd) Murdock of Milan. Joanne grew up in Milan, Missouri and graduated from Milan High School. She was united in holy matrimony to her lifelong partner James C. Rodgers on March 18, 1952 in Trenton, Mo. Joanne and Jim celebrated 69 years together before Jim left this world on January 13, 2022.
Joanne was preceded in death by: her husband, her parents, one son Robert Lynn Rodgers in infancy, a sister, Mary Mildred Murdock Dunlap and husband Charley Dunlap; a brother-in-law Charles Rodgers; a sister-in-law Juanita Helms and husband Don; nephews Charles Thomas “Tommy” Dunlap and Jack Helms; niece Mildred Louise (Dunlap) Klein and husband; and a great nephew Ed Yardley.
Joanne is survived by nephews, James (Tammy) Helms, Jerry Helms, Jim (Linda) Dunlap; and nieces Donna (Ed) Yardley, and Kathy Helms of Milan. Joanne is also survived by great nieces, Vicki (Tim) Lopatofsky and their children Luke, Mark, and Abigail; Carol (Jerry) Martin, Sharon Buck, Valerie Harris, Kelly (Gene) Fanning, Rachel (Seth) Robey, and Marci Helms and all their children. She is survived by great nephews, Zane (Debbie) Klein, Troy Klein, John Dunlap, Carson Dunlap, Max (Jenny) Dunlap, and Rory (Lori) Helms and many other family members and friends.
A Service for Joanne will be held on Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 PM with visitation starting a 1:00 PM at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Milan. A short, graveside service burial will follow at the Bairdstown Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the caring and compassionate nurses and supportive staff at Kingswood Nursing Home, Carnegie Village, and Amedisys Hospice.