Juanita Rogers

Juanita Kay Rogers Child of God… Juanita Kay Rogers, affectionately known as "Kay" was born March 23, 1963, in Lubbock, Texas to the late Alfred and Augustine Hardy. She was the fourth child of five siblings, born into a military family. Kay was a quiet soul who loved the Lord and worshiped him daily. She was an individual who truly lived life in the light of the Lord. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Juanita accepted the Lord as her personal savior at a very early age and joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend P. H. Golston. She was baptized at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where she was an active member of the Sunday School Ministry. She later became a member of True Light Baptist Church and continued her services as a Sunday School Teacher under the pastoral leadership of Reverend William T. Golson, Jr. She truly enjoyed the fellowship shared with her church family and the personal relationship shared with the Golson Family. Kay was determined in living a daily life pleasing to God. She was a true example of kindness, passion and love. A Caring Sister… Juanita Kay was a caring and loving sister. Even though she was the fourth sibling of five, she was perceived, as the matriarch of her siblings. Kay truly had wisdom way beyond her years; we guess that is why daddy nicknamed her "grandma!" She always seemed to be the eminent voice of reason. She was not just a sister, but a loyal friend and confidant. Kay was a very caring, humble, and easy going person. When speaking to her, she always listened far more than voicing her own opinion. It was not uncommon for her to present something in a way of making you think long and hard of what God would want you to do. She was loyal, almost to a fault, right down to always teaming up with her brother, Michael when chastising her other sisters whether he was right or not. Perhaps it was because he was the only boy. Look out Trent--sisters! A Lifelong Learner… Juanita Kay was educated in the Denver Public Schools throughout her young life. As an elementary school student, she was very studious and very obedient of her parents. In middle school, she was selected as the first Montbello "Viking Queen." Oh, how lovely she looked sitting on top of Mr. Smith's Cadillac in her long white dress adorned with crimson polka dots, as she rode through the heart of Montbello in the annual Juneteenth parade! Armed with a gentle smile and her quiet demeanor and let's not forget that Barbie wave, Kay was like a beacon of hope to all African American girls demonstrating that you don't always have be the most outspoken to be recognized for your worth. Kay attended Montbello High School, where she was elected as an Ecolier (a group of only eight senior girls, who held a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, who all devoted their time to school excellence and community outreach) she served as the group's Treasurer. Kay was active in other student organizations and also served as Montbello's Head Cheerleader. She was selected as Homecoming Princess and was a student in the first graduating class of Montbello High School. In early 2001, Juanita Kay was honored into the Montbello Who's Who of the Community. Juanita then continued her formal education at Colorado State University (CSU) where she obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Business and Accounting. After graduating from CSU, she took to her long term career as an accountant. She began her career at United Bank and then moved to the Federal Government working for the Defense Finance and Accounting Services. When this office closed, she moved to the Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Services and Bureau of Land Management and ended her career with 30+ years of service with TriCare. She was a dedicated employee and delightful person in the work place. Her analytical mind and thoroughness helped to perform her duties with accuracy and precision. She was admired by her employers and respected by her colleagues. It was often said that Juanita's warm demeanor and soft personality and smile made the workplace delightful. In all these cycles of life, Kay developed lasting friendships. Thoughtful Friend…. Rarely are we blessed to know a woman who embodies the true essence of friendship. How fortunate we were to have Juanita Kay as our amazing, sista-friend! A friend of quiet strength, compassionate, humble and attentive. A woman of elegance, grace and love. Yes, our dear sista-friend was a woman of inward and outward beauty; gracious and always hopeful. With a kind and loving spirit, Kay always brought brightness to a room. Intelligent, thoughtful, a genuine friend whom you could share confidences with and not risk judgement, a friend who listened with a caring heart and unwavering concern. Kay lived life fully, cherishing every day as a gift from God, a blessing to be appreciated and embraced. She desired that same joy for those around her. Her optimism was infectious. Her friends could count on her to see the best in what felt like the worst of times. Kay was the kind of friend you wanted in the midst of life's storms. She epitomized what a friendship should be. Laughter and joy were qualities that Kay always brought into a room. She smiled. She was strong. She was beautiful. She was pleasant. She was stubborn - in a good way- She was Kay. We love you friend. We will truly miss you! Devoted Wife… Beside every great man, there is a great and extraordinary woman -- and honey…. for Joe Rogers that great woman was Juanita Kay, a Proverbs 31-virtuous woman. Juanita Kay met and married her college sweetheart, the love of her life; Joseph Bernard Rogers on July 25, 1992. Together, they shared an amazing life and had an inseparable bond. Kay and Joe took life by storm and cherished every moment, they were a "power couple"… destined for greatness and greatness they did achieve! The two of them explored, traveled and took on the challenges of life with vigor! They accomplished much and shared everything with others! From the modest and simple beginnings of their romance and marriage, to the hallowed halls of the United States Senate and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, to Disney World family trips, cruises and visits to places all around the globe-- always together they loved life and took advantage of every single moment! She never allowed the pursuits and achievements of her husband to deter her from being a wife and mother. Kay and Joe are now together again! Joe preceded her in death on October 7, 2013. To this union, three beautiful children Trent, Jordan and Haley were born. They remember her as being loving, caring and nurturing. Love, family and friends were of the utmost importance to them and their three wonderful children are the legacy they leave… Loving, Compassionate Mother… Juanita was a devoted mother. Her children Trent, Jordan and Haley meant the absolute world to her. She often discussed openly that her children were what kept her going throughout her illness. When she spoke of them it was always with a smile. They were three of the main reasons, she had her constant recoveries. An inside family joke that was often said, "she was a women with more than nine lives," or as Haley recalled, "mom overcame all obstacles with grace and elegance." It was Kay's sincere desire to see each of her children graduate from high school and after nearly 15 years of battling, she almost saw it through. It was Joe and Kay's determination for the children to go on and complete their higher education. Kay fought a good fight but God knows best and undoubtedly Kay will always continue to be the guiding voice to her children. She loved her children unconditionally always making the extra effort to support their individual goals and personalities, even when her health truly began to fail. She instilled in them to keep their eyes on the Lord while encouraging each of them to cherish their happiness. Quotes that come to mind from us…. Trent -"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13 Holy Bible: King James Version Jordan – "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." – George Washington Haley- "I can't be changed by what happens to me. But I refused to be reduced by it." –Maya Angelou Never to be Forgotten... Following a long 15-year battle with cancer, Juanita Kay was called home to glory on Sunday, September 27, 2015 surrounded by close college friends and family. Don't cry for Kay as she fought a good fight and she is now at peace with our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all loved her, but God loves her best. Rest in peace dear daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother -- Juanita Kay... Juanita Kay Hardy Rogers was preceded in death by her devoted soulmate and love of her life, her husband, Lt. Governor Joseph Rogers, her parents: Alfred and Augustine Hardy, and her oldest sister Glenda Hardy. She is survived by her living legacies and reasons for life, her children, Son: Trent Joseph Alfred Rogers, and her Daughters: Jordan Kay and Haley Nicole Rogers. She also leaves to cherish her memory her Brother: Michael (Pam) Hardy, Sisters: Angela Hardy-Wilhite and Terri Hardy; Nieces: Shaniquwa Hardy, Breanna Rogers, Taylor Hardy-Roy and T'Ngela Wilhite. Her Mother in law, Lola Terry "mom," and her Brothers' in law: LaTra Rogers (Lai-NaAhtiCoa), Chris Rogers and James Jones all of Denver, Colorado, along with a host of other relatives, God children, dear friends and colleagues. Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on and cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone; those we love can never be more than a thought apart; for as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 10/2/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 10/3/2015 at 11:00 AM - True Light Baptist Church - 14333 Bolling Drive, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 10/3/2015 - Following the Service Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO