Katherine Yarbrough Rogers

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Mrs. Katherine Yarbrough Rogers, 87, resident of Columbia, Died April 12, 2025 at home with her family.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with John Vaughan officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and again on Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN, 38401 or to the King's Daughters' School of Columbia, 412 West 9th Street, Columbia, TN, 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born January 11, 1938 in Henryville, TN, she was the daughter of the late Cicero Edmond “CE” Yarbrough and the late Margaret Runnels Yarbrough. Mrs. Rogers grew up in Henryville with her extended family and a lifetime of devoted friends, moved to Columbia and was a 1956 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Katherine moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the Naval Department. She and Elmer Henry “Buddy” Rogers, Jr. continued to court during this time, were engaged on the steps of the Nation’s Capital and on March 21, 1959 she married Elmer Henry "Buddy" Rogers, Jr., who preceded her in death on January 15, 2016, after 57 wonderful years. Together they moved around the country to Maryville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Palestine, Texas. Despite being away from family Katherine enjoyed every place she lived and loved her new friends. “Coming home” to Columbia after retirement, Katherine served as a board member of Kings’ Daughter’s, was a member of the Maury County Friendship Club and the Margaret Yarbrough Circle, was a devoted member of Graymere Church of Christ. Her love language was service and she would go anywhere and do anything for her children, babysitting or having “Nonnie Camp” for her grandchildren, or cooking a meal for anyone in need.

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Henry) Stilwell of Spring Hill, TN; son, E. Henry “Hank” (Elaine) Rogers, III, of Kansas City; grandchildren; Abigail Grace Stilwell, Katherine Brett Stilwell, Olivia Grace Rogers, and John Henry Rogers; great-grandson, Ezra James Stilwell; sister, Carolyn (Roy) Gallaher of Maryville, TN; sisters-in-law, Mildred Rogers of Columbia and Linda Bassham of Milan, TN; brother-in-law, Doug (Norma) Rogers of Columbia; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a treasured member of the family, Sandra Knott.

Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary Pallbearers will include the Elders and Deacons of Graymere Church of Christ and her Sunday School Class, and the Central High School Class of 1956. 

The family wishes to express a special thanks to Compassus Hospice care for sending the most competent, caring people; Whitney, Melanie, Andrea, Pamela, Brandi, Patricia and all who supported them and gave us hope and help. We are grateful to Susan Bishop and Katia at Preferred Care at Home for tender care and help when we most needed it. Lastly, we are overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the faithful friends who visited, the boxes of cards and notes from her family at Graymere, neighbors, and people she loved.