Ethel Maedelle Rodgers joined her husband, RV, in heaven on March 12, 2021. The couple moved to a retirement facility in Midland in 2019 after a lifetime together in the Mozelle community. Anyone who knew Maedelle would describe her as a fiercely determined woman who could accomplish anything she set her sites on, including maintaining her daily journal writing from age 12 until age 95. At the same time, she lived her Christian faith daily, radiating interest in and love toward everyone she met. Her zest for life and learning included playing putt-putt golf in her wheelchair a few days before her passing.
Maedelle, 95, was born on April 30, 1925, at her parent’s home and on land that her grandfather, Reverend Henry Taylor, purchased in 1905 from the Gouldbusk Ranch. She was preceded in death by her husband of 78 years, R.V. Rodgers, who passed away on October 26, 2020. Maedelle is survived by her two daughters, Mignon Braun, and her husband, Darrell, of Odessa, and Ginger Hardage, and her husband, Kelly, of Dallas. Other survivors include one granddaughter, Andrea Halloran, of Midland and great grandchildren Melony Nellums, Ian Halloran, and Maggie Halloran. Great-great grandchildren are Jaxx and Nova Nellums. Proceeding her in death were her parents, Frank and Ora Taylor, and a grandson, Todd Armstrong.
Maedelle grew up in Coleman County, specifically the Mozelle community where she graduated as Valedictorian at age 17. Growing up, she recalled tales of riding horses, tending turkeys, coping with the Great Depression, and playing the clarinet in the Mozelle High School Band. Maedelle married her high school sweetheart, RV, in 1942 and he soon enlisted in the military to serve his country during World War II. After their daughter, Mignon, was born in 1943, Maedelle and the baby traveled by train to subsequently join RV in Lincoln, Nebraska; Yuma, Arizona; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Harlingen, Texas. After World War II, they lived in Dallas briefly before deciding there was no place like home and purchased a gas station in Santa Anna. The couple shared all their entrepreneurial ventures, especially when owning Rodgers Grocery & Station in Mozelle from 1947 to 1964. Countless students from the nearby Mozelle school can recall stories involving their personal interest in them or their well-stocked candy isle. RV and Maedelle simultaneously started a large farming and ranching operation that continues in the south end of Coleman County.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman with internment at Gouldbusk Cemetery. The family will host visitation prior to the service from 1:00-1:45 pm on Monday at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.
Maedelle joined the Gouldbusk Baptist Church in 1938 where she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher during many points in her lifetime. The family requests that memorials be made to Gouldbusk Baptist Church, Box 55, Gouldbusk, Texas 76845. The family would also like to thank the caregivers at Manor Park Village in Midland who faithfully cared for Mother and relayed many stories about being touched by her indomitable spirit.
Remembrances, condolences, and messages of comfort can be expressed to the family at www.livingmemorials.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rodgers family.
