Willa J. Rodgers

Willa Joan Harper Rodgers, age 91, flew away into the Peace of Heaven, surrounded by the love of God and her family, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Joan was born on November 23, 1933, on the family farm near Somerset, Kentucky. As the youngest of Everett and Mattie Harper’s six children, she would be the last of her birth family for over a decade. Joan was an exceptional student, graduating as Valedictorian of her class. After moving to Cincinnati, she met and later married, J.C.Rodgers, the love of her life. They spent 63 years building a life together, until his passing in 2015. Though Joan enjoyed many accomplishments throughout her life, her two great passions were her family and her church. She was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church for nearly 60 yrs, where she served in several different ways. One of those ways came when Joan’s pastor asked her to help create and operate a new Nursery for their growing church, something she loved doing for many, many years, touching the lives of countless little ones and their families. She also loved her ‘Sisters’ of Wednesday Morning Group, as well as countless Bible studies. Most of all Joan was devoted to serving her family with strength, courage, and steadfast love, and has left them with the example of a resilient, strong, and faithful woman. She is survived by her children – Steven Rodgers (Sara), Lynn Rodgers Dubrow (Burt), Jeffrey Rodgers (Barbara), Bradford Rodgers (Cynthia); Grandchildren – Jesse Rodgers, Katherine Rodgers Mitchell (Ryan), Joseph Rodgers (Chelsea), Ali Dubrow, John Rodgers (Samantha), Liza Dubrow Feldman (Andrew), Loren Rodgers Perez (Matt), Madison Rodgers, Kellen Rodgers; Great Grandchildren – Taleah Rodgers, Emma Rodgers, Arlo Rodgers, Ryan Mitchell, Harper Mitchell, Caroline Rodgers, Benjamin Rodgers, Asher Rodgers, Callen Mitchell, Camila Perez, Hudson Feldman, Everest Feldman, Celeste Perez, Carmen Perez. Celebration of Life will be held at Friendship United Methodist Church, 1025 Springfield Pike, Wyoming 45215, on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 at 10:30pm. Visitation will begin at 9:30am, one hour prior to service. Burial will take place at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 10209 Plainfield Road 45241. Arrangements handled by Hodapp Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Joan Rodgers to Friendship United Methodist Church or Hospice of Cincinnati.