Obituary of Claudette Yvonne Moore Rodgers
Claudette Yvonne Moore Rodgers of Houston, Texas, 88, found peaceful rest in her Savior and Heavenly Father’s loving arms on Sunday, June 16, 2024, Father’s Day.
Claudette was born on March 9, 1936 in Kansas City, Kansas, then spent much of her early childhood on her family’s Missouri farm before moving to Shreveport, Louisiana. She met the love of her life, her Byrd High School sweetheart, James T. Rodgers III (Jimmy), on a blind date that sealed a nearly seven-decade romance. While she was voted “most beautiful” by classmates, her Jimmy saw the core treasure she was, from her kind, loving heart.
They continued their courtship, as she attended Louisiana State University, then worked for the Texas State Highway Department while her husband completed his graduate degree. Through their marriage and growing their family of three children, they lived in Austin, Lubbock, Fort Worth and Midland, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; ending in Houston, where they resided together for over 40 years.
She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and the Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum, while volunteering for Northwest Assistance Ministries, Young Life, Junior Achievement, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Northwest Bible Church’s Between Jobs Ministry. She was also a devoted student in her church’s Women’s Bible Studies and Bible Fellowship Group.
Claudette adored socialization and seemed to charm everyone she met, yet she unfailingly drew attention toward those she was in conversation with through incessant questions about them, always with compliments that unselfishly highlighted her audience. She enjoyed adventure and travel, especially when it included her children, grandchildren, and longtime friends, visiting over 20 countries and provinces. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, where she was sure to always include a birthday cake for Jesus, mounds of sugar cookies, and tins of Martha Washington candies. During her journey through Alzheimer’s Disease, her husband left their 14’ decorated Christmas tree up, lit every night, year-round, during the last two years they were together, so she could savor Christmas every day.
Even as her memory failed her, she never surrendered her wit, her sense of humor, her faith, her smile, and her sweetness. Those are the qualities that defined her, her whole life, and made her a great daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend . . . and overall great woman of God.
Claudette continued to love and periodically ask for her Jimmy and is surely comforted to be finally reunited with her sweetheart, again.
Claudette’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff of Crossroads Hospice and Eagle’s Trace Memory Care and Skilled Nursing teams for their gentle care and attention to both her comfort and dignity. We also thank her devoted friends, relatives, and acquaintances who continued their interest and prayers for her well-being through her struggles with Alzheimer’s. Though her memory failed, thank you for never forgetting her.
She is survived by her sister LaRae Cook, son James T. Rodgers IV (wife Renita), daughters Renee Adams and Stacey Casagrande, grandchildren David Adams (wife Danielle, daughters Isabel and Nora), John Adams (wife Elizabeth, daughter Lily), Turner Rodgers, Bryce Rodgers, Matthew Casagrande, Luke Casagrande, Laura Adams, and Noah Casagrande, and nephews Neil and Christopher Smith (and their families).
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James T. Rodgers III, her parents Laura and Claude Moore, her brother Bill Moore, and grandchildren Jacob Casagrande and Hope Casagrande.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Claudette Rodgers’ memory, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association for research and efforts to combat this devastating disease. Her remaining family members will conduct celebrations of her life independently and privately.