(OPINION) Scores of family members and well-wishers have been grieving openly on social media over the passing of Shireta Rogers, the beloved wife of pastor and singer Tim Rogers, who publicly dismissed Hell as a “fairytale” in 2018, but said he believes in Heaven, Earth, and the afterlife. She was 44.
According to the Christian Post, The death announcement was made in a statement on Facebook by the pastor’s band, Tim Rogers & The Fellas, on Tuesday afternoon. “Pastor Tim Rogers sincerely would like to Thank you for all of your prayers. First Lady Shireta Rogers has made her transition back to God her father. We love you all and thank you so much for your continuous prayers,” the band noted in the statement.
At the time of his wife’s death, Pastor Rogers and his wife, who also ran The Hope Church in Blytheville, Arkansas, had been married for more than 25 years and had seven children — six girls and one boy.
The statement did not give a cause of death, but Shireta Rogers’ death comes just six days after her husband’s band requested prayer for her on May 3.
“Peace & Blessings to All! Asking for your prayers for First Lady Shireta Rogers. We love you & appreciate your prayers!!!” the May 3 statement from the band noted. Others, like digital creator Erik Melissa Gardner, also asked for prayers for Shireta Rogers prior to her death, noting “no explanation needed.”
“When I tell you I don’t get on and ask for prayer much but I need all the prayer warriors connected to me to continuously bombard heaven on behalf of Shireta Weatherspoon Rogers, Pastor Tim, their children, and their families. No explanation needed just pray, pray, pray,” Gardner wrote on Facebook days before the death announcement.
“When I tell you this is one wonderful lady and I know God has her still. I trust and believe in miracles and I am just waiting on the testimony. He is still Jehovah and He can do all things but fail. You got this Lady Shireta and God got you!!!!”
Pastor Tim Rogers who is well-known on the gospel music circuit and served as gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson’s pastor, is expected to address his fans on social media at some point in the future, but his band could not say when. It was also noted that all his events for the month of May had been canceled and those who wish to support his family financially could make donations by CashApp to $PastorTimRogers.
Calls to Rogers’ church weren’t immediately answered on Thursday. As the family continued grieving their loss, scores of family members and supporters shared their condolences on social media.
“Bishop Kenneth Robinson, Sr and the entire Antioch family would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Pastor Tim Rogers and family in the transition of his beloved wife First Lady Shireta Rogers. We pray the God will give you peace, comfort, strength and understanding during this time of bereavement. Antioch is there for you and we will keep you in our prayers,” Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church said in a statement on Facebook.
