Boyce Rogers

Elvin “Boyce” Rogers, 84, died at home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, September 27, 2021. He was born September 4, 1937. His parents were Curtis and Glenda Rogers who raised six children on a small “hill farm” at Corinth near Ash Flat, Arkansas. Even though Boyce and his siblings missed school to go to the “bottoms” to pick cotton in the fall, the children were expected to make straight A’s. After graduating from Arkansas State University, Boyce began coaching basketball and teaching math. He obtained his Doctorate in Education from the University of Arkansas and taught at ASU-Beebe for fifteen years. Upon on retirement there, he became a minister with Community of Christ. Following retirement from full-time ministry, he served as the pastor of Community of Christ in Hot Springs. Boyce will be remembered for his great love of Jesus Christ and as a servant minister. Even as his mental health declined due to Lewy Body disease, he was still able to offer beautiful prayers. His final act of service was as an organ and tissue donor. Boyce loved to tell stories and joke around with friends and family. He enjoyed this time as well as going to see his grandchildren play ball, attending church camps, and playing scrabble. He had a life-long love of the St. Louis Cardinals and could still call balls and strikes. Boyce was preceded in death by both of his parents; brothers: Kenneth Rogers, Clifton Rogers, Maurice (Gail) Rogers and sister, Clayta (Oscar) Ballard; two nephews, Marty Rogers and Kevin Ballard; a niece, Christina Ballard Mills; and a great-niece, Christina Brewer. Boyce is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy (Zeiger) Rogers; three children: Carla (Drew) Nadzam of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Carlton (Judy) Rogers of Percy, Arkansas, and Cary (Kim) Rogers of Glenwood, Arkansas; grandchildren: Andrew(Jessica) and Matthew Nadzam, Corey, Hayden, Nathen, and Lauren Rogers, who Boyce knew was the most beautiful girl in the world. He is also survived by his sister, Clella (Charles) Wiles; sister-in-law, Barbara Rogers; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Boyce’s family is especially thankful for the care provided to him by his Community of Christ family; The Caring Place, a program for people with dementia in Hot Springs; his caregiver, Danielle Whitney; and Arkansas Hospice. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Community of Christ, 1590 Airport Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas; Pastor Terry Williams, Elder Harry Crabtree, and High Priest O.J. Smith will officiate. A graveside service will be at Wiles Cemetery in Ash Flat, Arkansas, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021. The pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew Nadzam, Corey, Hayden, and Nathen Rogers, and great-nephew, Spencer Wiles. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Caring Place, 101 Quapaw Ave., Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901 or Community of Christ, 1590 Airport Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913 or Camp Powderfork, 2315 Lakeshore Drive, G1, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913. Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Arkansas.