Mary Kelly Rogers

Mary Kelly Rogers, age 73, of Gainesville passed away peacefully Saturday, April 29, 2023.  She was preceded in death by the love and light of her life, her husband of 48 years, William L. “Billy” Rogers in 2018.        

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Friday, May 5th, at First United Methodist Church of Gainesville.  The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 PM on Thursday, May 4th at Memorial Park Riverside Funeral Home, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501.            

Mary was born July 2, 1949 in Atlanta, Georgia to Dr. Robert P. and Sara P. Kelly.  She was an adventurous and curious child, raised by parents and her special “Marie” to love nature, love others, love God and to give back to her fellow man.  She loved animals, and particularly loved riding horses with her father at the family farm in Buchanan.  Mary graduated from The Westminster School in 1967 and attended Converse College.  She soon followed her future husband to the University of Georgia, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.  Billy and Mary were wed June 6, 1970 and movaed to Billy’s hometown of Gainesville, where he began practicing law.  Mary and Billy soon began a family, and she devoted countless hours to being involved in her children’s lives through their school, church and other activities. 

Mary is survived by three children, Meg (Allen) Nivens, of Gainesville, Lee Rogers of Gainesville, and Robert Rogers, also of Gainesville, each of whom always claimed to be her favorite.  She taught them that they were all her favorite in their own way and raised them in much of the same way she was raised – with love, curiosity, discipline and a spirit of giving back to your community.  That spirit is evident in that they all returned to their hometown to live, work and raise their own children, who were the light of Mary’s life – Sara Nivens, Annie Nivens, Maggie Rogers, Virginia Rogers and William Rogers.  Mary is also survived by her brother, Pat Kelly of Columbia, SC, Billy’s siblings and their spouses, her Uncle Dr. Robert M. Powers, and is preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother Dr. Edward Allen Kelly of Pittsboro, NC. 

Mary worked at various jobs as her parental duties allowed, including The North Georgia Community Foundation, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church & Friends of the Park.  She always kept her passion alive for education and volunteerism and poured her heart and soul into whatever she did, including artwork and pottery, which she loved.  She also loved the Gainesville community and was always very proud to leave behind a legacy of giving back to others. 

She was a longtime member of The First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, where she and Billy were members of the CrossTies Sunday School Class.  She also sang in the church choir and served on the administrative board at various times through the years.  Mary served as a tri-chair for the GFUMC’s first ever “Great Day of Service.” She had a deep and unshakable faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and kept that faith even throughout her battle with the terrible disease of Alzheimer’s. 

In addition to being involved in her church, Mary was a past President of the Junior League of Hall County, and was also very involved in P.E.O., where she was a past President and loved staying involved in the local A.C. Chapter.  She also loved the outstanding care that people could receive at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, often volunteering for the hospital, as well as serving on the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Auxiliary and Foundation Boards.    

The family would particularly like to thank the staff at Lanier Village Estates as well as Pruitt Hospice for the outstanding care she received in the last years of her life.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to either The First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506, P.E.O. Chapter A.C., 3747 Happy Valley Dr. Gainesville, GA 30506, or to the NGHS Foundation, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 115, Gainesville, GA 30501 or www.nghs.com/foundation.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

To view on livestream go to: www.gfumc.com/memorialservices