News

Elizabeth Rogers, a Hall of Fame teacher, dies at age 106

By Church Street Funeral & Cremation, Published: March 10, 2024

Elizabeth Grippin Rogers, a popular teacher at Flat Rock and East Henderson high schools until her retirement in 1978, died March 4 at Terra Bella senior care center at age 106.

Born Sept. 22, 1917 to George and Genevieve Davis Grippin in the town of Candor in Upstate New York, Elizabeth received all of her grade school education in a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Candor High School in 1934. Elizabeth earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1939 from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., and later did graduate work at Cornell University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

In 1946, she married Neil G. Rogers of Edneyville. The couple were married for 50 years, until his death in 1996. Elizabeth was also preceded in death by her brother, C. Robert Grippin, in 2000.

She taught history, Latin and English for a total of 31 years in New York State and North Carolina. Of this time, two years were in the Hooper School in Endwell, New York; four in her hometown high school in Candor, NY; and 25 years at Flat Rock High School and East Henderson High School, from which she retired in 1978. Teaching was her special God-given talent.

As an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville for more than 60 years, she taught Sunday school, served in several commissions and organizations, was founder of the church’s Intercessory Prayer Ministry and served as its coordinator for several years. Elizabeth was a charter member of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honorary teachers’ society for key women. In 2011, she was inducted into the Henderson County Education Foundation Hall of Fame.

Survivors include three nieces, Lohrie Grippin MacDonald and husband, David, of Spencer, N.Y.; Suzanne Grippin Umnik and husband, Howard, of Cocheton, N.Y.; and Sheron Grippin Belcher and husband, Paul, of Huntsville, Alabama; a great niece, Mollie MacDonald King of Appomattox, Virginia, and two great nephews, Blair MacDonald of Cornell University and Groton, N.Y.; and Dewey Belcher of Hoover, Alabama, as well as several beloved nieces of her late husband in Henderson County, who have been such a blessing in her later years.

Her most admired attributes were her love of God, her kind heart and her unwavering focus on being good to others. She combined a gentle spirit with an astounding strength of character and deep wisdom that equipped her to be a cherished educator and encourager to her family and friends. She was always ready to greet anyone with a kind smile.

The family expresses warmest wishes and thanks to Elizabeth’s class (kids) of the 1950s for their many kindnesses expressed to her during her later years. She was honored and humbled in having the pleasure of their friendship.

The family also thanked  the care givers from Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care. Their care and assistance through Elizabeth’s final days allowed for a peaceful and dignified departure.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville with visitation occurring one hour prior. A private burial will be at Shepherd Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739; Fruitland United Methodist Church, 66 South Mills Gap Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792; or Four Season Palliative Care, fourseasonscare.org.