Verna Elizabeth (Hammons) Rogers, 89, The Villages, Florida, passed away at Mission Oaks Memory Care on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 1:10 a.m.

Verna was born in Paint Lick, Kentucky on April 26, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Leonard and Bettie (Miller) Hammons. Verna graduated from Paint Lick High School in 1951 and married her high school sweetheart, Bill Rogers.

During Bill's 4 years in the Air Force, Verna lived in Longview, Texas, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Alamogordo, New Mexico, but returned to Paint Lick while Bill served in Korea.  After living in Lancaster, Paint Lick and Richmond, Kentucky, while Bill was attending college, Verna and Bill moved to Trenton, Ohio in 1960 where Verna focused on raising their growing family. In 1966 Verna went back to school and graduated with a BA degree in Education from Miami University in 1970. Verna taught elementary school in the Trenton and later Edgewood School Districts, primarily the 5th Grade. After 25 years of teaching, she retired in 1995.

Growing up on a farm in Kentucky, Verna developed a strong work ethic, a love for animals and an unwavering faith. Verna's family lived across the road from the Good Hope Baptist Church in Paint Lick where she enjoyed worshipping and socializing with family, cousins and friends. Later in life Verna was an active member of the Trenton First Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Middletown, Ohio.

After retirement Verna and Bill enjoyed traveling the country in their RV with her beloved dog Augie, returning to the West where they enjoyed early married life. Verna and Bill eventually settled in The Villages, Florida in 2013.

Verna leaves behind Bill, her beloved husband of 72 years, 2 daughters, Sherry (Jeff) Stoffer, Cincinnati, OH, and Jill Rogers (Mike) Fitzgerald, The Villages, FL and a son, Bill (Karen) Rogers, Palm Coast, FL,; 4 grandchildren, Bill (Marla) Rogers, Jenna (Nick) Freeman, Cole (Kasey) Rogers, and Maya Stoffer; 2 step grandchildren, Scotti (Brandon) Fitzgerald Wilkerson and Christopher (Megan) Fitzgerald; 3 great grandchildren, Liam Rogers, Harlow Freeman, and Willa Rogers; and one great step grandchild, Elias Wilkerson; as well as sisters-in-law Virginia Rogers, Inge Hammonds, and Mona Hammons;  numerous nieces and nephews; and best friend/cousin Ruby (Dorlan) Grimes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Hammons and Bettie (Miller) Hammons; 2 brothers, Col. Eugene Hammonds and Hub Hammons; and a sister Bess (Hammons) Hensley.

Friends may call at the Ramsey-Young Funeral Home, Lancaster, Kentucky, on 28 October 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at 12:00 noon,  Rev. K. Scott Robertson officiating. Interment will follow in the Manse Cemetery (Old Paint Lick Cemetery), Paint Lick. A reception will follow at the Hyattsville Baptist Church, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Friends may share memories or leave condolences on her tribute wall at: www.ramsey-young.com.

Ramsey-Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.