Biography: Jane Ann Fleming Rogers went home to be with the Lord on March 18, 2024, at the age of 77 after a very long and brave fight with Parkinson’s Disease. During that time, she was extremely courageous, and made the best of the situation, as she had done throughout her life.
Jane was born on May 28, 1946, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Clara Walker Fleming and Coy E. Fleming. Her loved ones described her as an “absolutely precious” child. She attended Centennial Elementary, Westside Junior High School, and Little Rock Central High School, working hard and graduating high school in only two years. In her youth, she was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. She was a Christian who accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. During this period, she served as Worthy Advisor in The International Order of the Rainbow Girls, and was later a member in the Order of the Eastern Star, maintaining her membership throughout her adult life. She later graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, majoring in elementary education. Of note, she was also highly artistic and could draw anything, which was fitting considering her beautiful handwriting.
While still a teenager, Jane met the love of her life, R.E. “Roger” Rogers. They dated for four years before marrying in Asbury Church in 1965. They went on to be happily married for over fifty-eight years. In all their years together, Jane was her husband’s right arm, supporting him in his education, his military career, his legal career, and anything worthwhile he ever accomplished. Roger always thought that Jane effectively earned an honorary law degree and military rank from the amount she helped him in his career and legal studies. Roger said she helped him to the extent that she could never be repaid. She was indispensable to the people in her life. Jane and Roger were absolutely devoted to each other!
Jane’s lifelong dream was motherhood. She was overjoyed to become a mother when her dear son, Eric Lewis, was born in 1974. Devoting her life to her family, she raised a gentleman in her son. In 1981, her daughter, Jill Anne, was born. Jill knows that much of her own legal career success and her many blessings in life are due to her mother’s support, love, guidance, and encouragement. Jane was Jill’s hero, and the two were the best of friends through all their years together. In fact, she was the hero of everyone in her family and all parties claimed her as their best friend. Jane was always good and supportive of both her fine parents, who she loved deeply.
Following in a long line of teachers and educators, Jane was a beloved first grade teacher. She spent most of her teaching career at Meadowcliff Elementary, and also taught at Pulaski Academy, and various summer schools in the Little Rock School District. She enjoyed being a member of her teacher’s sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa. Jane also enjoyed membership in the Women’s City Club and the McArthur Garden Club with her late mother, Clara. Later in her career, Jane earned her real estate license and became an agent for two different companies where she enjoyed success. Her heart was always with her family though, and she felt blessed to be able to devote her career energy to them. Jane was positive, upbeat, and always helpful to others.
Jane loved celebrating the holidays with her family, singing, baking with Jill and her treasured grandchildren, British television, architecture, planning, reading, and traveling all over the state, country, and the world with her family. In the words of her own mother, she was a “real trooper.” She was known as a kind soul, sweet, sharp, charming, gracious, intelligent, and hardworking. She was the best advocate, teacher, mentor, partner, and company one could ever hope to have. She radiated joy and love. She made everything more fun. One of her many gifts was that she made everyone she met feel safe, seen, and celebrated. As the old saying goes, her family “loved the ground she walked on.”
Jane is survived by her husband Roger; her daughter, Jill Rogers Barham; her grandson, John Lewis Barham; her granddaughter, Natalie Jane Barham (named after her Grammy Jane); her sister, Betty Jean Fleming Hendricks; her twin nieces, Elizabeth Ramon and Valerie Hendricks (Sybren Sijbrandij), and great-niece, Rebecca Ramon, and; her aunt Betty Jo Walker Stephens; and many dear cousins, family, and friends. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Coy Fleming, and son, Eric Rogers. Her family takes comfort in knowing Jane, Eric, and her parents have now been reunited, and that she was welcomed by a joyous reunion of angels in heaven. Jane used to say of the helpers, the peace makers, and the charitable people in the world, “Angels walk among us!” To her family, Jane was indeed an angel on earth.
A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Monday, March 25, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. Jane will be laid to rest in graveside service for family at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research and/or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Services under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.
I’m praying for you and your family. Your beautiful Mom is a gift from GOD, and her heart is amazing. Praying for the GOOD LORD’s comfort for you all. We love you.