Verna R. Myers

Day by day we watched you, as you slowly faded away.
Although it was difficult, we knew you could not stay.
God saw the roads getting rough, the hill harder to climb.
God gently closed your loving eyes and whispered,
“Peace be Thine”

Verna Rogers Myers, affectionately known as “Vern” to family and friends, was born on November 15, 1934, in Farmville, North Carolina to the late Solomon Rogers and Blannie Lee Gorham-Rogers. Vern departed this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Bowie, MD.

Vern received her early education in the Jones and Pitt Counties public school system. She graduated from H.B. Sugg High in Farmville, NC. After graduating from high school she moved to Washington, DC and studied nursing at a vocational school. Vern received a Bachelor of Science degree (Nursing) from Federal City College (1974) and Master of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University (1982), both in Washington, D.C.

Vern’s first job was working as a waitress at the Hecht’s Company. After graduating from vocational school, Vern worked at DC General Hospital for 32 years in pediatrics neurosurgery. She became a Registered Nurse in 1974. After retiring from DC General, she was a Professor at Radians College (School of Nursing) for over 20 years. She loved teaching her students basic nursing care and skills at Providence Hospital. Even during her illness she would instruct her home health caretakers on how to properly take her blood pressure.

Nursing was Vern’s passion. When she was not working, she was either at church or participating in an activity with the Alpha Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority. She was a lifetime member and held local and national offices within the organization. Vern loved to grow vegetables in her garden. Many years she grew the collard greens for Thanksgiving dinner. She was known for her sweet potato and coconut custard pies that she gave to family and friend at Christmas.

Vern was a faithful member of the 10th Street Baptist Church, where she attended until she was unable due to her illness. She sang in two choirs (Ever Ready and United Voices). For several years she coordinated the church’s health fair where she administered flu shots, gave blood pressure reading, and provided general health information.

Vern was preceded in death by her parents Solomon and Blannie Lee; brother Edward Rogers; and sister Hazel M. Gibson. She leaves to cherish her precious memories a daughter, Jacqueline D. Rogers of Bowie, MD; a grandson, Devin G. Robinson of Washington, DC; one sister, Ann D. Willoughby of New Haven, CT; five nieces: Stephanie Willoughby and Shaina Jones of New Haven, CT; Darlene Gaye, Christie Edwards, and Gwendolyn Tyson of Farmville, NC; three nephews: Don Wayne Rogers and Edward Rogers of Farmville, NC and Kelvin Davis of Washington, DC; three God daughters: Felecia Carr, Twayna Winston, and Robin Hancock, seven step sisters (Farmville, NC); two step brothers (Farmville, NC); and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins and other treasured family and friends.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:6-7