FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Rogers labors at things she loves
BY KELLY GRIFFITH Contributing reporter

Muriel Rogers

"I've worked all my life." Muriel Rogers said. She has graced many of Troup's buisinesses through the years, though the journey started long ago in a one-room school building.

Rogers was 18 years old and fresh out of high school when the demand for teachers was so high that the state was requiring would-be teachers only to pass a test. Rogers passed the test and was allowed to teach for the two years that followed.

At the school Rogers taught first through eight grade and baby-sat two four-year-olds, just to meet the required number of students needed to hold school. Rogers acted as principal, teacher and custodian to the large and diverse group.

She would arrive at the building early in the morning to start the fire in the woodburning heater, maybe draw some water from the well or clean the outdoor restroom. After school she would return home to grade the students work... only to return the next morning to the same thing all over again.

"It was hard, very hard," Rogers said. "I always wanted to be a teacher."

But with so many responsibilties at the schoolhouse Rogers didn't feel like she was able to actually teach the children.

"I didn't feel like I was getting to do what I wanted," Rogers said. "So after my two years, I gave it up."

Following her stint as a teacher, Rogers met the late Carroll Rogers who later became her husband. The two met as he was working in a variety store. They married and had six children, Deborah, Daphne, Vicki, Karen, Felicia and Toni.

"I told my daughters they would have to pick out my sons," Rogers said. The girls did choose sons and only fueled the fire of Rogers' love for babies and children as they gave her 15 grandchildren, who produced 10 great-grandchildren.

The couple moved to Troup in 1977, and in her 30 years in the area Rogers has worked in a variety store, mattress store, nursing home and retired from the elementary cafeteria after 12 years of service.

For about a year now Rogers has been serving customers lunch at the 4 Oakes Cafe on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as doing alterations from her home.

Generations of children have seen the love that Rodgers has for them. For the past 22 years she has been rocking children in the First Baptist Church in the nursery. "I have a baby now who is one of my first baby's babies."

The group she watches over averages about four or five babies each Sunday, and though she misses the church service, Rogers wouldn't change a thing.

"I love babies, I love children and even when they're teenagers. That's sometimes a hard time to love them." Rogers said. "I feel like it's my ministry and I would never give it up."

When Rogers is not working she enjoys gardening, reading, sewing and just spending time in the town that has become her home. "I think Troup is full of friendly people and I wouldn't live anywhere else," she said.