Mr. Rodney Bernard "Nutt" Rogers died July 7. The son of Ms. Ann Spearman and Mr. L. C. Heard, he was born in 1966 in Newton County. A graduate of Newton County High School, he was a member of the Masonic Enterprise Lodge No. 551 and was Past Grand Tyler for Smooth Grand Lodge. He was a member of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church and served on the Male Usher Board, Male Choir and Board of Trustees. Mr. Rogers was employed with the Newton County Sheriff's Department until his health failed. He was preceded in death by daughter Nashika Rogers.

Surviving are mother Ms. Ann Spearman; father Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Heard; godmother Mrs. Annette Heard; children Desmond Usher, I'Eshia Usher, Lashete Usher, Shametria Maddox; grandmother Mrs. Clara Rogers; sisters Tanearer Grier, Aja Heard, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar (Teresa) Gilstrap; brothers Andrew Heard, Bryson Heard, Bruce Banks; aunts Mrs. Cathlene McKnight, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie (Gwendolyn) Benton, Ms. Linda Pitts, Ms. Minnie Burnett, Ms. Alice Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Frank (Runell) Brown; uncles Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Essie) Heard, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel (Helen) Spearman, Mr. Marvin Rogers, Mr. Jerry Rogers, Mr. Bishop Rogers Jr.; special friend O'Neal Belcher; devoted cousin Cheryl McKnight; a host of other cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. July 14 at Saint Paul A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Thomas Stegall officiating. Interment followed at Westside Cemetery.