Nathaniel Rodgers

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Nathaniel Rodgers.

Mr. Rodgers passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025, after an automobile accident.

Arrangements will be announced by Davis Funeral Home, LLC of Hartsville, SC.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”                             Revelation 21:4

Mr. Nathaniel (Nate) Rodgers, son of the late Napoleon and Fannie Lee Rogers, was born on August 19, 1949, in Hartsville, SC. An inevitable hour of peace comes to everyone; for him, it came suddenly on February 23, 2025. Nate’s journey through life had real highs and lows that most people can only tell stories of.

Nate was educated in the Darlington County Public Schools. In 1964, six years before Darlington County schools were officially integrated, Nate became the first African-American to attend Hartsville High School. Transferring from the black Butler High School, this act of bravery caused much rumbling in both the white and black communities. Though much of the white opposition was relegated to name-calling, the historic decision escalated in the winter of 1966 when gunshots rang through the Rodgers’ home from a group of men in a drive-by. The Hartsville police were called but never showed up, prompting much suspicion. But just as disappointing to Nate and his family was the backlash from blacks in the community. But stead fast in the belief of belonging, he endured it all, even becoming the first African-American to wear the Red Fox basketball uniform.

Nate graduated from Hartville High in May 1967. Honored by the community in February 2023, for black history month, a full four-part “Forging A Path” newspaper series detailing his historic experience.

After high school, Nathaniel attended South Carolina State University, where he was on partial scholarship as a drum line member of the college’s award-winning Marching 101 band.

Also he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. But if high school wasn’t challenging enough, on February 8, 1968, during Nate’s freshman year, he found himself in the middle of what’s now remembered as the Orangeburg Massacre. On the S.C. State campus, police gunfire killed three students, and another twenty-eight were wounded. None of the students were armed; most were shot in the back or the soles of their feet. In May 1973, he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

As a blessing to attending S.C. State, he met and married the love of his life, Mrs. Eva Mae Robinson Rodgers, Orangeburg, SC. Their union was a lifelong partnership filled with love and devotion that endured until Eva’s passing on June 5, 2009. To this union, they welcomed their beloved sons Tracy and Terrence Rodgers.

Nate later earned a Master’s in Applied Physics from Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA. With rare skills, he worked as a project engineer at power and nuclear stations in South Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and Georgia. Good with his hands, including woodworking, he was often found tinkering on cars and tackling home renovations. He also loved to fish and watch Cowboy (western) movies in his spare time. He occasionally picked up the sticks again to play the drums in the church.

Nathaniel was the youngest of two children. In addition to his parents, Nate was preceded in death by an elder sister who died as an infant.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory two beloved sons, Tracy (Romaine) Rodgers of Hayward, California, and Terrence Rodgers of Midland, TX. His legacy will continue through his grandchildren, Isaiah Rodgers and Eva Rodgers, as well as a host of close relatives and friends.