Sari Diane Rogers

Sari Diane Rogers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on February 25, 1939, in New Summerfield, Texas, Diane was the daughter of Charles Ray Heath and Martha Fields Heath. She grew up in New Summerfield and graduated from New Summerfield High School in 1957. A gifted athlete despite her small stature, she excelled in basketball and was selected by the Texas State Women’s basketball organization to play for the South Texas team in the Texas All-Star Game during her senior year—an achievement New Summerfield still honors by displaying her high school jacket at the school. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Physical Education from Stephen F. Austin after attending Jacksonville College. For seven years she taught physical education at several Beaumont middle schools.

Diane met her husband, Ruel Thomas Rogers, at church in Beaumont, and they married on August 7, 1965. Together they built a life centered on love, family, and service. She was a devoted mother to Douglas Rogers and Denise Rogers Jessen, offering them unwavering love, strength, and guidance throughout their lives. Diane’s warmth and generosity touched everyone around her. She cherished time with her grandchildren, watching them each summer during what she lovingly called “Camp Mi Mi.” A woman of many talents and interests, she enjoyed walking, playing tennis, line dancing with friends, playing the accordion and piano, reading, baking, and playing cards or board games. Above all, she found joy in volunteering. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for more than forty years, supported numerous charities, and gave over twenty years of service at the Baptist Hospital gift shop. A loyal and thoughtful friend, she never forgot a birthday and delighted in celebrating others.

Diane is survived by her husband of more than sixty years, Ruel Rogers; her children, Douglas Rogers and his husband, Chris Brown, and Denise Jessen and her husband, Chris Jessen; her grandchildren, Bexar Brown and his fiancé, Teerra Thomas, Griffin Brown, Kyle Jessen, Grant Jessen, and Reid Jessen; and her sister, Pat Tennison. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Martha Heath.