By GABRIELLA DRAGONE
PATERSON, NJ – Alice Patterson-Rogers was born on January 8, 1927 to the late George and Isbell Patterson in Sumter, South Carolina. The family then traveled to Lamar where the Patterson family legacy unfolded.
Patterson-Rogers passed away recently at the age of 95, however her legacy still remains strong in the City, a resolution written in her honor said.
While in South Carolina, Patterson-Rodgers attended school until the sixth grade where she then took care of her family and was very business-minded. She met and married Eugene Rogers and had four kids. Patterson-Rogers later met Howard Thompson and had three more children.
Patterson-Rogers moved from South Carolina to New Jersey where she began employment as a domestic engineer and then went on to care for the sick at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She ended up working for the Paterson Board of Education where her full tenure was served out of Public School No. 4 under the administration of the late Carlisle Parker and the late Dr. Frank Napier Jr. She served as the head Cook and Food Taster, cooking for the teachers and children for nearly 30 years.
Patterson-Rogers opened her doors to both families and friends in need and was a creature of habit as she would go on weekly shopping outings to the Red, White and Blue on River Street, Pathmark for food shopping and then out to eat.
“She was such a sweet gem and she will definitely be missed,” Councilwoman-at-Large Dr. Lilisa Mimms said.
“I give my condolences to the life and legacy of Ms. Alice Patterson-Rogers,” Fourth Ward Councilwoman Ruby Cotton said. “These people that are passing have given me so much knowledge and I know I stood on their shoulders to be able to sit here today.”