Cornelius “Connie” Rogers III departed from his earthly life on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. On June 25, 1960, Connie was born to Cornelius and Kathalene Lillian (Wallace) Rogers, Jr. at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York. Following the passing of his father, Cornelius Rogers, Jr. in 1968, his mother continued to raise him and his younger sister, Kathalene Rene, in Portsmouth while operating the family-owned Rogers Funeral Home on Deep Creek Blvd in Portsmouth, Virginia. Connie received his early education in the Portsmouth Public School system and attended I.C. Norcom High School (Class of 1978) where he lettered in football and played the cello in the High School Orchestra. Connie also played with the Tidewater Area Musicians Orchestra during his high school years.
Following high school, Connie went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the real “HU”, Howard University (Class of 1983). Directly after finishing up at Howard and following in the footsteps set before him, Connie enrolled in the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in Brooklyn, New York, where he completed his studies in Funeral Service in 1984. After completing his education in Brooklyn, Connie returned home to Portsmouth. Soon after, Connie interned with Hale Funeral Home in Norfolk, Virginia, before officially taking over as the Funeral Director of Rogers Funeral Home.
As the director of Rogers Funeral Home, Connie’s steady hand and meticulous nature made him known as an artist who preserved the truest representations of those who had passed on, commemorating them as they once lived. As a testament to his dedication to service and his community, Connie silently donated his services to countless families who did not have the means to lay their loved ones to rest. Connie served the community by sponsoring various recreational sports leagues and athletic programs in Portsmouth Schools through gifts from Rogers Funeral Home. He also served as a volunteer coach for the Churchland Little League and Churchland Pony (baseball) League. Connie welcomed his firstborn, Omar, months after his high school graduation, with Diane Barnhill. Though not permanent, Connie shared 23 years of marriage with his former wife, Donna. The two met at Howard University. Eventually, they wed in 1986 and set roots in Portsmouth, VA. To that marriage were born 2 children, Carlton and Candace.
Connie lived a life anchored in love, contentment, and selflessness. Anyone who encountered Connie adored him. He was best known by friends and family for his baritone voice, attention to detail, impeccable memory, and wealth and constant thirst for knowledge. In his spare time, Connie frequently consumed podcasts, vlogs, books, and radio shows, on every topic under the sun, including sports, politics, medicine, law, religion, and more. Connie was the kind of person that could strike up a conversation with anyone, and he could easily talk to you for hours at a time. He truly enjoyed meaningful conversations with anyone who engaged with him- about any topic that mattered to you. In his latter years, Connie made a complete lifestyle change where he focused on holistic health and wellness.
Connie’s spirit lives on through his 3 Children – Omar Barnhill, Carlton Rogers (Anika) and Candace Rogers; Sister – Kathalene Rene Rogers; loving Grandchildren – Briana “Bre” Barnhill, Nykeah “Nyke” Riddick, Londyn Rogers, and Carlton “CJ” Rogers, Jr.
Though Connie is gone from our presence, he will forever live in our hearts.
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Norma Foster says
April 22, 2025 at 5:57 pmSending love and prayers to the family of Connie Rogers. May God bless you and know that we are here for you!
Blessings and love,
The Fosters
Ronald “Slick” Lee says
April 23, 2025 at 7:52 pmAs a former high school classmate, I’m sorry to hear of your passing. May you rest in peace. And peace be unto your family 🙏🏾
Rev. Joyce Foster says
April 23, 2025 at 11:12 pmMay the Lord bless each family member and friend as reflections on the life of Connie Rodgers flood your thoughts. May prayers, love and togetherness sustain everyone in the days to come.
Louvenia DavisTaylor & Family says
April 25, 2025 at 2:33 amMay God’s love live on through the family and love ones of Connie. We will miss you dearly friend and brother. May his smile, prayers, love, & kindness that he gave to so many families be carried thru life as a reminder of his business given. Love by many…Sister Louvenia Davis Taylor with The Davis 12
Felicia Scales says
April 24, 2025 at 7:35 amI have fond memories of our time together growing up in the old St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. We served on the junior usher board together. Ma Price loved “her boy”. We had some really great times growing up. I can still hear that deep voice of his. The Roger’s family had many ties to the Reids, the Carey’s, and the Jernigan’s. We will continue to keep the family in our prayers.🙏🏽
Dr. Simonee (Ruffin) Thomas says
April 24, 2025 at 3:16 pmTo the Rogers Family, with heartfelt condolences,
I thank GOD during this ecclesiastical season for allowing my pathways of life to intersect with Corneluis’s at two of our most significant and transformative benchmarks: GOD’s earthly sanctuary of the Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church Family (Columbus Avenue-Portsmouth) where we accepted, praised, continued to grow, and waxed strong in the redemptive power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ as children all occurring while working out our soul salvation and faithfully serving in the Youth Usher’s Ministry under the advisory of Lula Mae Price. Moreover, while walking on the hallowed grounds, passing through the esteemed halls of our Beloved Howard University, Washington, D.C. where we along with his former wife, Donna intellectually grew and waxed scholarly in our own customized pursuits of truth, service, excellence, and leadership to make a difference in the lives of others. Unequivocally, through his faith in GOD, Cornelius truly made an earthly difference. “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13 (NIV).
Therefore, may you embrace GOD’s unconditional, unending, and unmistakable love daily as you continue to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor will never be in vain in the Lord.
In humility,
Christal Hazwood says
April 24, 2025 at 5:21 pmSending love and prayers to the Rogers Family . I remember we all being together at the old St. Mark Missionary Baptist church on Columbus ave. Our praises went up to the Lord, so effortlessly. Donna and the children joined right with all of the St Mark Family . You will be missed . Take your rest now .
Connie Taylor says
April 25, 2025 at 10:45 amCondolences to the family. Death takes the body. God takes the soul. Our mind holds the memories. Our heart keeps the love. Our faith lets us know we will meet again.
Clementine and Charles Cone says
April 25, 2025 at 1:15 pmOur hearts are deeply saddened by the passing of Cornelius. So many fond memories of days at St. Mark continue to live on. We send much love and heartfelt sympathy to his children and other family members during this time. May the God of Peace surround you with His arms of Comfort and strengthen you for the days ahead.
Monique Mouton says
April 25, 2025 at 7:51 pmTo the Rogers family my heartfelt sympathy. I’ve many fond memories of CC & our days at Howard U. While we’ve been out of touch for a while, the memories are still there. For a while there will be mourning, but as promised there will also be joy at the home going of our beloved CC. May the families of CC be comforted by the peace & tranquility of the Holy Spirit, by the power of the Lamb’s, Y’shua /Jesus, blood.