Johnnie Smith Rodgers

Johnnie B. Smith Rodgers, 78, moved to the front of the line with her golden ticket on December 6, 2018. She left behind on this Third Rock from the Sun a bunch of people who loved her, including her son Scott Hatley and wife, Stephanie, her sisters Eunice “Cricket” Harrington and Dolores “Dodie” Gencsi, grandson Nolan, granddaughter Erin, great granddaughter Eva Noelle, a passel of nieces, nephews, and their wee ones, along with church friends who shared lots of belly-laughs with her. At her “Welcome Home” party in heaven, Johnnie was greeted by her Savior Jesus Christ, her husband, Phil Rodgers, and her mother, Lela Smith. We are confident there was dancing because Johnnie could sure cut a rug down here. Johnnie was born in a flat-board farmhouse in Northern Alabama’s “Smith Holler” on July 19, 1940 and named after her maternal grandfather. She pretty much came out of the womb talking and kept that going for 78 years. We think she was the source for the expression, “Can’t get a word in edgewise.” Johnnie was full of love but not afraid of a fight and once told a useless man that “His butt was grass, and she was the lawnmower.” (One of those words has been edited. Use your imagination.) Johnnie and her sisters—Cricket and Dodie—often laughed so hard together that they peed their pants—literally. Thank God for Depends. Johnnie loved dogs, Dr. Pepper, Cheetos, and the color pink. Several years ago, she unintentionally sported a pink spiked hairdo long before that rock star Pink decided it was cool. We think Johnnie wore it better. Johnnie loved to attend church and often sang specials, including “He Walks the Dark Hills” and “I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday.” We all thought she sparkled down here. Johnnie was known to sway a little while she was singing, but she kept her moves restrained, it being an Independent Fundamental Bible-Believing Baptist church and all. The last check Johnnie wrote was her tithe to Dickson’s Hillview Baptist Church. We’re guessing she was thinking, “Make sure you pay up before you check out.” When she was very young, Johnnie had to make the heart-wrenching decision to give up her baby son for adoption. Although she only briefly held his tiny hand, she forever held him close in her heart. Scott searched and found her 43 years later, and that reunion was the happiest day of Johnnie’s life. When Johnnie passed into eternity, Scott was holding her hand. He said of that tender moment. “Years ago, she had to make the hard and loving decision to let me go so that I could have a better life, and now I have to let her go so she can begin her better life.” We’re all going to miss Johnnie, but we know she’s in God’s good hands—and that she hasn’t stopped talking and singing since she danced through those pearly gates. Johnnie’s family will hold a Celebration of Life service at Spann Funeral Home in Dickson, Tenn., on Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m. Instead of flowers, please make donations to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, Nashville, Tenn., an organization dedicated to the unfaltering love of God’s furry creatures. The team there is currently fostering Johnnie’s dog Holly, showering her with love, and preparing her for a new forever home. www.proverbs1210rescue.org. Email: info@proverbs1210rescue.org