Dr. James (Jimmie) Rodgers passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Rodgers was born to the late Margie Nell Rodgers on January 1, 1953 in Paris, Texas. He was educated in the Paris Public School System. He was a graduate of Paris High School class of 1971. "Jimmie", as they affectionately called him, was popular and loved. He was the first African American quarterback at Paris High School. He cherished the education he received there and loved to tell everyone wherever he went that he was from Paris, Texas.

After graduating in 1971, he was appointed by President Richard Nixon, to The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. Rodgers loved learning. He holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Humanities (Education & Exposition) from Dallas Bible College; a Master of Arts, with a concentration in Education and Administration from East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas; and a Masters and Doctor of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary, Johnson, Tennessee. He is also a graduate of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism.

Although he loved learning, soul winning, preaching and teaching were his passions. He was called to preach at the age of 16 and was licensed and ordained by Pastor Woody Wright at the Saint Paul Baptist Church in Paris, Texas. He served diligently in the ministry for 43 years. He was privileged to serve as pastor of six pace setting and dynamic churches including Second New Hope Baptist Church (Alexandria, VA), Mount Hebron Baptist Church (Garland, TX), Second Baptist Church (Starkville, MS), Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church (Albany, GA), Shiloh Baptist Church (Sacramento, CA) and Mount Moriah Baptist Church (Garland, TX) where he labored, even in sickness, until God called him home. He loved all God's people but he had a special affection for youth and young adults.

He was preceded in death by his mother Margie Nell Rodgers and brother John "Scooter" Rodgers. He leaves to cherish his memory, loving wife of 30 years Billie Rodgers, sons Daryle Rodgers (Jennifer) and Jamee Rodgers, daughter Brandalyn Rodgers. Grandchildren, Imani Rodgers, Isaiah Rodgers, Kameelah Lewis-Rodgers, Jeremiah Rodgers, brother, Elder Ronald Rodgers, sisters, Della Brooks, Sandra "Kay" Rodgers, Jacqueline Simmons, Debbie Bellamy, Alice Francis Mills (Henry "Butch") and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He also leaves to cherish God brothers, Pastor Raymond Otey (Lawana), Pastor Donald Wright (Wanda), Johnnie Higgins (Pearlene) and Kenny Cox (Barbara) and God children, Michael Foote, Terrence Foote, and Tara Foote

The homegoing celebration will commence on Saturday, September 15, 2012 11:00am at Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, 1233 State Highway 66 Garland, TX.