Fred Rodgers

Fred R. Rodgers was born December 3, 1955 in Charleston, Missouri to Bryant Rodgers and Amanda Moore Rodgers Butler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bryant “Gitty Bug” Rodgers, Jr., Eddie Rodgers, Roy Rodgers, Ray Rodgers, Phil Rodgers, Bobby Moore, L.C. Butler, and Reginald Johnson, his sisters, Olestine Howard, Rosie Graham, Barbara “Sally” Moore and Delmarie Moore, and brothers-in-law, Robert Gorden and Floyd Howard. Fred accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. He was a member of Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri. He attended Lincoln School in his younger years and graduated from Charleston High School in 1974. Fred enlisted in the United States Navy in February of 1976. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged when his tour of duty ended. He worked at Stark Manufacturing, Inc. and Gates Corporation for a while upon leaving the service. Fred welcomed hard work. He hauled hay with his father and did not mind working in the potato field, corn field, bean field, etc. He even collected aluminum cans. Fred loved to garden. He could usually be found planting in his yard or helping others with their lawn care needs. He would even help with Christmas lights, washing trucks/cars, and other job offers he received. Fred had a big heart. He would help anyone who requested his services. When he was not fishing or gardening, you could find him on his bike, which he affectionately referred to as his “Cadillac.” He equipped his “Cadillac” with a crate and license plate on the back, horn on the front, and his reflective lights. Fred enjoyed riding. He was the only person “we’ know that got a ticket for DWI while cruising on his “Cadillac.” On Monday, June 20, 2022, he was suddenly taken from our midst while in his home in Charleston, Missouri at the age of 66 years, six months, and 17 days. He leaves to cherish his memories, his son, Cedric Anderson of Charleston, Missouri, his daughter, Shatoya Chandler of Charleston, Missouri, two sons and two daughters he raised like his own, Michael Anderson, Sidney Pittman, Alecia “Lisa” Anderson, and Sonia “Shannon” Anderson all of Charleston, Missouri, six brothers, Willie (Mary Francis) Curtis of Bowie, Maryland, Lenzey (Sonia) Rodgers and Michael Rodgers of Charleston, Missouri, Sherdell (Debbie) Briggs of Iowa City, Iowa, Tommy Briggs of Sunnyvale, California, Wiley Reed of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, five sisters, Dianna Gorden of Florissant, Missouri, Amanda (Steve) Williams and Shirley Murray of Charleston, Cindy Rodgers of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Ramona Bankhead of Flint, Michigan, four sisters- in-law, Brenda Rodgers of Charleston, Missouri, Diane Rodgers of Rock Island, Illinois, Cinderretha Howard Jackson of Bloomington, Illinois, and Barbara Austin Rodgers of Cairo, Illinois, those also raised as family, Ronnie Johnson of Charleston, Missouri and Albertine Johnson of Flint, Michigan, a very special neighbor, Monuette Cassel of Charleston, Missouri, five grandchildren, 21 step-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends. Visitation will be held Friday, June 24, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Williams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Missouri. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Arthur Cassell officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery with full military honors. The Williams Funeral Homes of Charleston in charge of arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fred Rodgers, please visit our flower store.