Mary Jean Rogers

Mary Jean Rogers, 95, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

Mary Jean Giles was born in Chattanooga, TN to Ruth (Weimer) and David Giles, in the year the Scopes trial decided whether evolution could be taught in Tennessee schools.  Her great-grandfather David Giles Sr. founded Chattanooga Foundry and Pipe Works in 1882; the company later merged with U.S. Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Company. 

In 1906 David Giles Sr. built the Giles home on Lookout Mountain near the entrance to Point Park.  This house was mainly unoccupied following his death in 1910, and in later years little Mary Jean would have to climb through the dumbwaiter into the house to let the rest of the family in for visits. 

Mary Jean grew up on Shawhan Drive (now Road) in East Chattanooga near South Chickamauga Creek.  At that time, the area was covered by woods and farm fields, and she delighted in riding her beloved pony over the mostly wild area.  On one ride she encountered moonshiners busy with their still, and at gunpoint was encouraged to leave and forget what she had seen. 

One of Mary Jean’s neighbors was Anna Houston, an idiosyncratic antique collector whose items are now housed in Chattanooga’s Houston Museum.  Mary Jean was often taken by her mother, also an antiques lover, to visit Mrs. Houston.  Mary Jean’s memories of those visits are included in Tom Williams’ book "Always Paddle Your Own Canoe, The Life, Legend and Legacy of Anna Safley Houston".

Mary Jean graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina in 1946, majoring in French and psychology.  She moved to New York City and studied at the New York School of Interior Design.  She graduated in 1949 and worked as a designer for several years.  In 1951 she married Palmer Rogers of New York City. The following years saw the birth of three sons (David, Ethan, and Seth) and a daughter (Meredith).  As Palmer pursued naval service, graduate school, and academic positions, the family moved to Washington DC, Newport RI, Baltimore MD, Oak Ridge TN, Columbus OH, and finally Minneapolis MN. 
 

When the children grew older, Mary Jean resumed her passion of horseback riding and eventually acquired a horse named Fourth Martini.  Son Ethan maintained that Martini was “the fifth, and the favorite, child in the family.” Mary Jean was among the founders in 1970 of the Central States Dressage & Combined Training Association (CSDCTA, now Central States Dressage and Eventing Association), and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).  She served as the secretary of the CSDCTA Board.  She created and then for many years produced the organization’s newsletter Cross Country.  Her artwork, often depicting horse and rider engaged in dressage and cross country, was featured in newsletters, and is used as the logo of the USDF.   Mary Jean later became a technical delegate for dressage and combined training horse shows, ensuring the courses met standards and rules were applied fairly.  For many years she officiated at horse shows throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and southeastern U.S.

Mary Jean and Palmer divorced in 1975 and she faced the challenge of supporting herself at a time when married women often had no credit history or financial status.  She eventually moved to Groton MA where she worked at Lawrence Academy in the development department.  She used her editorial skills to produce the school’s publications and greatly enjoyed her interactions with student helpers. In 1986 Mary Jean retired and moved to DeLand FL where she took up birdwatching and enjoyed gardening.  She volunteered as a certified boat operator for the Florida State Parks, ferrying visitors at Hontoon Island State Park.  She enjoyed birding with the West Volusia Audubon Society, where she served on the board and as editor of their publication The Hummer.  Mary Jean also helped found the friends group supporting Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, served on the board, and produced their newsletter Woodruff.  All these publications benefitted from her artwork and years of editing and writing experience.

In 2006 Mary Jean moved back to Chattanooga to help her childhood friend and neighbor Walter L. “Oogie” Martin Jr.  She loved the familiar sights and seasons of Chattanooga.  After Oogie died, she had the good fortune to enjoy the friendship of Bill Voss and Ron Delker.  These gentlemen generously supported her with grocery shopping, trips to the doctor, and warm companionship during her years of independent living.  Ron and Mitzi Delker became good friends and made Mary Jean part of their family.  The staffs of Regency House, Manorhouse, and Hearth Hospice in Chattanooga provided excellent care during her last years.

Mary Jean enjoyed activities like horseback riding and birdwatching, but continually spoke of the people with whom she shared the experiences.  She looked forward to horse shows or bird counts as opportunities to pick up on long-standing friendships.  She was supportive and encouraging to her children and maintained that having children was the best accomplishment of her life. 

She was preceded in death by her son Ethan, former husband Palmer, and sisters Martha Hamill and Alice Chancey. 

Mary Jean is survived by sons David and Seth (Cindy), daughter Meredith (Tim Sokoloski), daughter-in-law Carol, four grandsons and two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren (with two more about to make entrances), and nephews and nieces. 

No services are planned at this time.

Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421.

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