#80: At the Cemetery | John Furman Rogers Sr.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (2026-20)

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a series of weekly prompts to get you to think about an ancestor and share something about them. The weekly prompt is provided by www.amyjohnsoncrow.com. The prompt for the week of May 11 is "At the Cemetery." This week, we mark the anniversary of the passing of John Furman Rogers Sr., who died on May 17, 1965, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

John Furman Rogers was born October 15, 1887, in Florence County, South Carolina, to Sidney D. Rogers and Susan Elizabeth Lloyd. He was the third child born to Sidney and Susan; sadly, his two older brothers died as infants before he was born. Sidney and Susan eventually had a total of seven children, including my wife's Great-Grandfather, Asa Lloyd Rogers.

An undated photo of (L-R) James Sidney, Minnie Ola, Asa Lloyd, Bessie A. and John Furman. Photo credit:©️M. Johnson.

John's story—and his career—mirrors that of his brother, Asa Lloyd Rogers. For the Rogers brothers, the railroad wasn't just a job; it was the backbone of their lives, moving them across the Carolinas and providing a steady rhythm to their family histories.

The Atlantic Coast Line Connection

Both brothers were dedicated employees of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, though their paths took them to different hubs along the line:

• Asa Lloyd Rogers: Worked for the railroad in South Carolina, eventually being laid to rest in Timmonsville in February 1946.
• John Furman Rogers Sr.: His career saw a steady climb in Wilmington, NC, where he registered for the World War I draft in 1917 while already serving as a Conductor.
• The Yard Master: By 1930, John had taken on the high-pressure role of Yard Master for the steam railway.
• The Superintendent: He ultimately reached the position of Superintendent, overseeing the very rails that connected his North Carolina home to his brother’s territory in South Carolina.

John married Lorena G. Dawson on November 26, 1910, in Craven County, North Carolina. Together they had three children: John Furman Rogers Jr., Lorena Evelyn Rogers, and Sidney Dawson Rogers.

At the Cemetery: Greenlawn Memorial Park

John passed away on May 17, 1965, and was buried on May 20, 1965, in Section 49-14-C at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina. He rests there with his wife, Lorena.

Photo Credit: ©️S. Carter Curry

Genealogy Snapshot

Name: John Furman Rogers
Parents: Sidney D. Rogers and Susan Elizabeth Lloyd
Relationship to me: Great-Uncle of my wife (Brother of Asa Lloyd Rogers)

The Lineage:
Asa Lloyd Rogers and Dephia O. Epps (Great-Grandparents)
Sarah E. Rogers and Joseph W. Davidson (Grandparents)
My Wife’s Parents
My Wife
Me