Western Region Church Ushers

Julia Marie Rodgers

Julia Marie Pugh-Rodgers born April 2, 1939 in Grand Cane, Louisiana is the third child of nine of deceased parents Charlie Lee Pugh and Mercie Lee Pugh.  She grew up on a working family farm, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  Julia accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age in Louisiana.  During her teen years the family moved to the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, where she was a member of the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.  Julia attended David Star Jordan High School and was a member of the cheerleading squad.  

Shortly after graduating high school, she married Willard Chat Rodgers on September 29, 1957.  To that union four children were born, three girls and one boy.  During the early years of this family, they enjoyed many happy and memorable moments.  Julia always put her family first by ensuring that her children’s needs were taken care of and that her husband was supported in all that he strived to do.  As her marriage and family flourished, the decision was made to relocate the family to Glendale, Arizona in order to give the family the opportunity to thrive in more favorable climate to accommodate their health issues. 

Julia is an active and proud member of the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church since January 1973; where the Rev. Shauncey D. Hatten, Sr. is now Pastor.  At South Phoenix Baptist Julia is involved in several auxiliaries.  She is the Chairman of the Deaconess Board, the Treasurer of the General Mission, a member of the Kitchen Committee, a food box/mobile pantry volunteer, a member of the Scholarship Committee, and the very proud teacher of the 11-year-old and under children’s Sunday School Class.  However, her first love of service is the Usher Board.

During her years as South Phoenix’s Usher Board Director, Julia did the heavy-lifting of establishing the state of Arizona’s membership (known as United Church Ushers of Arizona) with the National United Church Ushers of America Association, Inc. (NUCUAA) in 1996.  Julia currently holds several positions associated with NUCUAA, such as United Church Ushers of Arizona President, United Church Ushers of Arizona School of Ushering Co-Chairman, United Church Ushers of Arizona School of Ushering Instructor, Western Region Public Relations Chair, and Western Region Board of Directors Member.  She was also the Western Region President from 2011 to 2015.

Julia obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Arizona State University.  She has been a retired elementary school teacher since 2002, and had the opportunity of being the 6th grade teacher to 3 of her 6 grandchildren.  She also coordinated and conducted a reading summer program for grades 3rd through high school (“Learn and Earn”) that paid the students $5.00 per book read and a written report completed that was approved by an evaluator.  Julia impresses on the children that she comes in contact with the importance of reading being the foundation of all learning, and the importance of being able to articulate their reading comprehension.

Even with the passing of her beloved husband Willard after 59 and a half years, her only son, and her second grandson, God has still blessed her with 3 daughters, 3 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, 3 great-granddaughters, and 6 great-grandsons.  Along with 2 surviving sisters, 2 surviving brothers, and a whole host of extended family members. 

Julia has a tenacious energy and an excessive drive that keeps her going from one thing to another.  As shown with her outreach efforts of packing and distributing food boxes, preparing and serving weekly community breakfast, alternating clothes for church members, and tutoring students as a member of the National Council of Negro Women.  She takes pride in the presentation of her efforts and will always give you 125% or more no matter what it is, when it is, or where it is.  Julia, continue to be you, a child of God!