Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Columbia for Amelia Winters Magee Rogers, 33, of Columbia, who died Tuesday, Oct. 10 at her residence.
Amelia was born Oct. 19, 1983, in Hattiesburg to Tim and Carrie Magee of Columbia. She was a 2002 graduate of Columbia High School, attended Pearl River Community College and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in hospitality and tourism. She was a guest services representative at Ashley Furniture in Hattiesburg.
She married her husband, Mark Rogers, on June 16, 2012 in a ceremony aboard the Steamboat Natchez. Amelia’s wedding was just one example of her adventurous spirit. She loved to travel and spent many days enjoying the road with her husband and friends Brandi Perry and Jeni Southerland as part of the Backroads and Burgers team.
Many say Amelia’s zest for life comes from her ability to survive. Born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and chiari, Amelia overcame many obstacles to live her life in a happy, productive way. The little girl whose parents were once told that she wouldn’t survive the night when she was born, flourished. Amelia couldn’t be told that she wouldn’t be able to accomplish something. When doctor’s said she wouldn’t walk, she defied them by not only walking, but playing baseball at Dean Griner and marching in the Columbia High School Marching Wildcat Band.
Amelia also never met a stranger and her smile could light up a room. She grew up in First Baptist Church, and later also attended First United Methodist Church with her husband, Mark, splitting time serving both congregations.
Amelia is survived by her husband, Mark, of Columbia; father, Charles T. Magee of Columbia; mother, Carrie Magee of Columbia; brother, Stuart Magee of Jackson; stepson Brian Rogers, of Columbia, and grandmother, Gail B. (Al. G.) Hutto of Columbia.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Bob O. May and O.K. Magee; and grandmother, Jean Magee, all of Columbia.
Amelia was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, a former member of the Columbia Junior Auxiliary, former ambassador of the March of Dimes and was the 2010 Volunteer for Main Street Columbia Inc.
Pallbearers are Mark Carithers, Justin McKenzie, Nick Cavanaugh, Joe Joe Temples, Robbie Gill and Nathan Guy.
Honorary pallbearers are the Kiwanis Club of Columbia.
Interment will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery Friday with the Rev. Mike Sahler and Dr. Bryant Barnes to officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia.
As per the family’s request in memory of Amelia Rogers, memorials may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Columbia’s Christmas for Kids Fund or the Columbia-Marion County Animal Shelter.
