M E M O R I A L S P I R I T
Elder Melvin Clifford Rodgers, the twelfth
child of thirteen children whom all have
preceded him in death, was born January 28,
1938, in Memphis Tennessee, to the late
Dan and Lovie A. Cheers Rodgers. Melvin
attended Manassas High School.
He accepted Christ at an early age at Lake
Grove Missionary Baptist Church, under the
leadership of Reverend Horace Robinson;
followed by Reverend B. B. Brown.
Melvin was united in Matrimony to Virginia
Oliver; with this union four children were
born: Vincent Dewayne, Melvia Denise,
Melinda Dawn and Michael Darrell.
Renown, compassionate and charismatic
Elder Melvin Rodgers, a legend in his own
time; with a mandate from heaven under
the unction of the Holy Spirit, he served
this generation with dedication, clarity and
uniqueness. His endeavors were to improve
the spiritual awareness of people by teaching,
preaching and living the Word of God. He
was a man with a passion for souls and
often went beyond the call of duty, equipped
with an incredible love for children, young
adults and those who were in need, his
passion gave his rich life a divine purpose.
Elder Rodgers was the pastor and visionary
of New Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church,
located at 2225 Ball Road. His first day as
pastor was December 10, 1972. Under his
dynamic leadership, the church moved into
a new sanctuary in 1978. As a “holy ghost
headquarters”, soul stirring praise and
worship can be heard miles around! Moving
on in purpose, he later joined Mount
Moriah East Baptist Church, making this
his home church under the leadership of
Reverend Dr. Melvin Charles Smith. He
also served as assisting pastor at New
Sherron Baptist Church while Pastor
Thomas was convalescing. Evangelism
was dear to his heart and he carried the
Great Commission’s message over the
length and breadth of our great country
and abroad - the highways and byways.
In his childhood years, Elder Rodgers’
aspiration for singing kept him in church and
fed his faith. His powerful and charismatic
voice has stirred the gospel world for
fifty-nine years.
Many of his songs “hits” are classics. To
name a few: “I Signed A Contract With
Jesus”, “I Know He Cares For Me”, “Since
I Met Jesus” and his last hit “He’s A Battle
Axe”, was recorded at the AARC Convention
with Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago,
Illinois and Boston Baptist Church of
Memphis, Tennessee. This signature album
was a tribute to the renown gospel singer, Dr.
Oris Lee Mays of Memphis, Tennessee. Also,
this classic carried Elder Rodgers abroad to
London, England, Paris, France, Canada,
and Australia. As a musical giant, he
organized several singing groups; in 1953
The Christian Harmonizers and was their
lead singer; in 1959 The Gospel Dixie
Wonders and was lead singer. He sang with
The Gospel Williams Jr. Boys; The Sons of
Jehovah; and Memphis Harmonizers.
His contemporaries are: Sam Cooke, Joe
LeGunn, The Caravans, Joe Mays, James
Cleveland, Oris Mays, Dwight Gatemouth
Moore, The Swan Silvertones, The Pilgrim
Travelers and the list goes on....
Elder Rodgers was a member and one of
the lead singers of the Memphis Baptist
Ministerial Association Male Chorus. He
was also a member of the Full Gospel Baptist
Church, Inc.; CEO of Time For Action, Inc.;
member of the National Baptist Convention
USA Incorporated; and a board member
and lead singer of the African American
Religious Connection (AARC). Elder
Rodgers was a great philanthropist.
So goes the life of his legend!
He departed this life October 10, 2019 at St.
Francis Hospital. Along with his parents and
siblings, he was also preceded in death by his
son, Micheal D. Rodgers; and daughter,
Sandra Elaine Malone. Elder Rodgers leaves
to cherish his memories and continue his
legacy, his wife, Virginia Rodgers; three
children, Melvia “Chick” Rodgers (L.C.)
Williams, Vincent Rodgers and Melinda
Rodgers; six grandchildren, Jamie Rodgers,
Jessica Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers, Justin
Rodgers, Kendria Rodgers (Darry) Wright
and Stevelyn Rodgers; three great-grandchildren,
Deja Rodgers, Darryus Wright and
Cameron Rodgers; devoted friend and
caregiver, Gwendolyn Holmes; the entire
New Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church
Family, host of nieces, nephews, other
relatives and friends.
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