Elizabeth Rogers Simonds

“Farming is alright if that’s what you want to do, but it’s not what I’m going to the rest of my life”. The thoughts and words of Elizabeth Ann Rogers “Aunt Bigum” who was born in Timmonsville South Carolina to Sam and Lucy Allen Rogers, sharecroppers on January 9, 1920. After graduating from Brockington High School in 1938 and remaining at home on the farm for a few years, she left South Carolina (SC) in 1942 and sought employment in the New York area. Her first few jobs were domestic live-ins which she did not find fulfilling and therefore enrolled in clerical night classes. Because of Liz’s tenacity for self-improvement, her clerical career began with employment in a doctor’s office and continued to Datamation Services and lastly to Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center. She had a determined spirit and was recognized on several occasions for her devoted services before retiring in 1981 as a key punch operator and coding clerk. In 1951, Ms. Rogers married William “Bill” Simonds and was widowed in 2001. She was an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Bronx New York. Liz and her sister, Lean, relocated to Florida and back to Timmonsville, SC in 2014 with their brother (Boy), now deceased. After the death of her sister (Lean), Mrs. Simonds became a permanent resident of Pee Dee Gardens, Florence SC. Even with the pandemic, Elizabeth, considered 2020 a very good year for her. Why? God’s grace and mercy allowed her to celebrate her 100th Birthday on January 9th and then commemorate the 100th anniversary of “The Women’s Right to Vote” by voting in the 2020 Presidential Election in November at the age of 100! Liz was predeceased by her parents, husband “Bill” and all of her eight siblings. On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, she peacefully and quietly departed her earthly journey. Left to share Aunt Bigum’s precious memories are her local nieces: Audrey M. Gilbert and Doris (Dock) Salters; special nephew Sam (Martha) Rogers Jr., Jacksonville NC; cousin: Herbert Green; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and staffing at Pee Dee Gardens.

Elizabeth Rogers Simonds

January 9, 1920 - November 24, 2022