Joan T. Rogers

Joan T. Rogers of Upper Marlboro, MD, went home to be with her Savior on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. She was born on April 8, 1950, in Elgin, TN, to Betty [Phillips] Tompkins and the late Clyde Tompkins. She grew up attending Rugby Road United Methodist Church where she first developed her lifelong love for the Lord and the church. She loved singing with her grandmother Elsie, the church pianist for over 50 years. She met Rick, her husband of 42 years, in Dalton, GA. They were married on June 30, 1979. Rick enlisted in the Air Force in July and they were soon stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Upon arrival in Maryland, they found fellowship at First Baptist Church of Suitland, where Joan served as a Sunday school teacher and alongside Rick in his role as deacon for 15 years. In 1995 they made First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro their church home, where she continued to teach and served as Children’s Sunday School Director. She led the Leadership Development Team for many years. She and Rick led many Life Groups and they helped to start a Grief and Bereavement Ministry. She served anyone who had a need with meals, cards, compassion, and care. As early as third grade, inspired by her own favorite teachers, teaching became a passion for her. That passion was continually fanned into flame throughout her middle and high school years. After graduating from Robbins High School in Scott County, TN, she would go on to pursue a degree in Secondary Education at Cumberland College. She would later finish a Master’s Degree in Education as well. Joan was an extraordinary teacher. She started her teaching career in Dalton, GA where she taught at Eastbrook and Southeast Whitfield High Schools for five years. In 1980, she began a 33 year tenure at McDonough High School in Charles County MD. She taught business education, special education and served as a class sponsor and new teacher mentor. Her classroom also served as an unofficial break room, party room, and counseling center to dozens of fellow teachers and administrators. After 39 years in teaching, retirement did not slow her down. Joan loved spending time with her grandchildren, her many good friends, and the senior gym crew of the Upper Marlboro Community Center. She was a remarkably caring person, who loved and served many. She is greatly missed by the innumerable people whose lives she impacted. Her faith only grew with time. Joan’s love for the Lord was demonstrated in every aspect of her life - personal friendships, professional life, church ministry, and especially to the family she dearly loved. Her faith remained the bedrock of her life to the very end. She is survived by her mother, Betty Tompkins; her husband, Rick; her sons, Michael and Kevin (Jami); her six grandchildren, Chloe, Jacob, Owen, Autumn, Eliana, and William; her siblings Jerry Tompkins (Denise) and Rhonda Wedemeyer (Steve); and her aunt Shirley Young (Noble “Buck”). Family invites friends to Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736, on Friday, October 22nd from 4 to 7 pm. A second viewing will be held at the First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, 7415 SW Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, on Saturday, October 23rd from 10 am until start of Funeral Services at 11 am. Interment will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 11:15 AM at Maryland Veterans Cemetery 11301 Crain Highway Cheltenham, MD 20623. In lieu of flowers the family invites you to make donations to the “Deacon Benevolence Fund at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro”: 7415 SW Crain Hwy, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772 or donate online at www.fbcum.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joan T. Rogers please visit our Sympathy Store.