Obituary of Annette Rodgers Rouse

"I enjoy working with the Urban League and the Black Scholars Program because truly knowledge is empowerment. I consider this program as a "garden". Some will take longer than others, some wont make it, but we must give all of them the opportunity. We must cultivate this garden or there will be nothing to harvest. The more than 100 volunteers that work with me during the course of the year makes it all happen. My life has been blessed by the opportunity to serve as I have, and if I help just one person then my living will not have been in vain." ~Annette Rouse Annette Rodgers Rouse, was born on September 15, 1951 in Eufaula, Alabama. She was the 7th of nine children born to John Henry Rodgers and Arligon Rogers-Rodgers, who both preceded her in death. Annette was raised in Clayton and Eufaula, Alabama, where she also attended city schools. In 1965, the family moved to Rochester, NY where she continued her education at East High and James Madison High Schools. After her high school studies, Annette went on to further her education by completing a variety of college level courses for her future endeavors. In 1973, while the Urban League, Inc. was in its developmental stage, Annette was hired as a secretary. Her career flourished and led to a position in the Finance Department and the Community Planning & Development office. One of the highlights of Annette's career was her four-year appointment as the Assistant to Mr. William H. Johnson, Jr., former Urban League President as well as the Mayor of Rochester. In 1980, Annette was appointed Coordinator of the Salute to Black Scholars Program. Later in 1985, she began coordinating the Early Recognition Program, a component added to the Black Scholars program to encourage students in grades 9-11 to strive to become official Black Scholars. Annette's additional responsibilities included: overseeing the Black Scholars Endowment Fund, Scheduling Early Recognition workshop for potential scholars, highlighting successes of past Black Scholars, and last but not least keeping graduate scholars updated on current job opportunities. Ms. Rouse confessed Christ at an early age and was very active within the church setting. In 2009, she chose Mt. Vernon as her place of worship. She enjoyed serving the Lord and held several auxiliary positions. Annette was also very active in the committees and received numerous awards for her work. Her list of achievements include: the Harriet Tubman Achievement Award, the Citizen of the Year award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the Lifetime Commitment to Children Foundation award in 2007, the President's Award, in which she was the first to receive multiple times. This is the highest staff award presented for exemplary service at the Urban League, there are countless other awards. Just recently she received the William Johnson Jr Visionary Leadership Award, The Linx Incorporated Services Youth Award and special recognition as a Black Heritage Honoree. Annette is predeceased by her brother John C. Rodgers and sister Mary Louise Rodgers Haskell. On Monday, May 22, 2017 with her family by her side, Ms. Annette Rouse was peacefully called home to rest with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Avery (Amy) Rodgers and daughter Tonya (Rodney) Rodgers Nunnally. Two step sons, Anthony Rouse and Henry Rouse Jr., grandchildren, DeAnthony Rodgers, James Corprew, NaKiesha Nunnally, Adrian Rodgers, DeAndre Nunnally, Nakia Nunnally, Rodney Nunnally Jr., great-grandchildren KayAna, Keyara, Mi'Year, Mi'Yah, Saniya and 2 Godsons, Trenton Jackson Jr and Devon Dixon. Siblings, James L. (Lillie) Rodgers, Jessie (Rebecca) Rodgers, Annie King, Jeanette Rodgers Dixon, Ligion (Howard) Britton, Dorothy (Gray) Broyld, sister-in-law, Nora Rodgers, 3 aunts and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends. A special "thank you" to Annette's caregivers Tierra Harvey and Shareka Hill.