Julia Rodgers

Julia Rodgers was born on June 1, 1935, to her late parents Larnie and Cornelia Askew. She was one of nine children that they raised in South Philly in the section now known as Society Hill. Julia was a product of the Philadelphia Public School System, excelling in cooking and sewing, which were lifelong skills that she enjoyed. During summer breaks as a child, Julia would travel to North Carolina to spend time with her maternal grandmother.

On December 31, 1951, Julia married her childhood sweetheart and friend, Eugene L. Rodgers at St. Charles Borromeo church. From this union, they had eight children who also became members of St. Charles. They were married for sixty-five years until his death in 2016.

Mom was the backbone of the Rodgers family. Due to her sacrifices and ingenuity, her family thrived. Her husband, Junie, was able to participate in the Boy Scouts, along with sons Gene and Louis; then later becoming Scout Master of Troop 433. When her youngest sister passed away in 1971, they decided to take their nephew Rudy into their home and raised him as their own. The Rodgers’ home was always multi-generational with her mother Cornelia living in the home for several years and then her mother-in-law, Josephine until her death in 1997. Additionally, the Rodgers’ home was a welcoming place for many of the neighborhood children of 15th Street. When times were tough, Julia stretched those dollars until they screamed for mercy. To raise money to help pay for tuition, proms, etc., Julia sold dinners featuring her famous fried chicken, fried fish, potato salad, chitterlings, collard greens and 7-Up pound cake to her friends, neighbors and Junie’s coworkers. To this day, her family still doesn’t know how they were able to send 9 children through Catholic schools. After her youngest graduated, Julia spread her wings and joined St Charles Choir which she participated in fully until the COVID pandemic. Her family has fond memories witnessing their beloved Mother cooking up some delicious meals every day, but she made the holidays extra special. Every year after the Midnight Christmas mass, she fed and entertained friends until 5 or 6 in the morning, and this community of friends helped stuff the stockings and wrap gifts so that the tree was full when the children woke up on Christmas day. The family also enjoyed seeing their mom and dad getting pretty on their anniversary and attending St. Charles New Year’s Eve Cabaret for many years. Julia was a fashion diva who loved her animal prints, various shades of pink, and glitter nails.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, her daughter, Angelique, her son, Gene and her siblings, Richard, James, Joseph, Cornelia (Sis), Lonnie, Caroline, Johnnie and Serena as well as sisters-in-law, Patsy, Leola and brother-in-law, Milton. She leaves to cherish her memory, her remaining children, Diane, Louis, Monique, Felice, Veronica and Julia; sons-in-law, Hanif and Jorge, daughters-in-law, Donna and Monica, honorary daughters Roberta and Sabrina, honorary sons Charlie and Sam, grandchildren Chance, Yusef, Louis, Robert, Desiree, Rasheed, Jenika, Lemore, Jasmine, Julian, Christian, Tyrhee, Sierra, Jared and Maya, several great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Dorothy Askew, cousin Judy Ward, many nieces, nephews and a host of loving friends.