Raford “Ray” Porter Rogers, Jr., 80, of Tifton passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 14, 2024, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. John Hughes officiating. Mr. Rogers will be laid to rest at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Arabi Antioch Cemetery in Arabi. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.
Members of the Seekers Sunday School Class of Tifton’s First Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Born January 21, 1944, in Americus, Mr. Rogers was the son of the late Raford Porter Rogers, Sr. and Julia Royal Rogers. He was also preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Monty and Susan Rogers.
Ray is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law. He served in the United States Coast Guard, earning the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
He worked at Arthur Young in Atlanta as a CPA in the tax department and practiced law at Reinhardt, Whitley and Rogers Law Firm in Tifton. He farmed with his brother for 35 years and was a founding member of Arabi Gin Company. His main love was raising his family and farming. Ray was a member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church.
Mr. Rogers is survived by his wife, Tallulah Pope Rogers of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law. Laura and Jeff Tomberlin of College Station, Texas; one son and daughter-in-law, Ford and Mary Kathryn Rogers of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, Mickey and Jean Rogers of Arabi; one sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Benjamin Charles of Hawkinsville; and four grandchildren, Celeste Tomberlin and Jonah Tomberlin, both of College Station, Texas and Porter Rogers and Caroline Rogers of Athens.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial gifts may be made to Backpack Blessings or the Benevolence Fund of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794; or Called To Care, P. O. Box 2396, Tifton, GA 31793.