Dr. Roland Tollison "Tolly" Rogers Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Celebration of Life Roland Tollison “Tolly” Rogers April 6, 1933--September 26, 2023 Tolly Rogers was born in Barney, Georgia, the youngest of six children (Frances, Lloyd, Norman, Morris and Glenn) born to Quinton Milos and Clara Lee Rogers. The family owned a farm, raising livestock and growing fruits and vegetables, which led to Tolly’s love of wide-open spaces and agriculture. The family had dogs and cats, and one of Tolly’s beloved orange tabby cats routinely begged him for “milk” from freshly shucked ears of corn. This early bonding with the farm’s animals fostered his desire to become a veterinarian specializing in large animals. After graduating from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in 1957, he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for forty-three years. During his tenure with the USDA, he worked out of state to eradicate avian influenza and hog cholera and worked regionally to contain brucellosis and to maintain food production standards in dairy and livestock industries. Tolly’s beloved “office” was the great outdoors, and he had respect for the agriculture industry and enjoyed working with farmers throughout the state of Georgia. Aside from his love of livestock, Tolly owned horses in his early years of marriage to his late wife Mary Jayne when they lived in Gray, and one highlight of his career was assessing the thoroughbreds at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Stemming from his roots on a farm, Tolly’s passion was growing citrus fruit; aside from his family, his beloved fifty-plus year old grapefruit tree was his most treasured possession. He loved every aspect of maintaining the tree, including covering it in tarpaulin during the winters. He also grew Meyer lemons, satsumas, pomegranates, pears, peaches, pecans, blueberries, blackberries, muscadines, and sugar cane. He loved sharing his harvest with friends and cutting the sugar cane for the neighborhood children to enjoy. Aside from his love of horticulture, Tolly loved his church and served in leadership roles at Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday school for over thirty-five years and served on finance and administrative boards. Additionally, he was a Gideon for over forty years. He was an Administrative Board member at Worth Academy. When Tolly was not serving his community or working in the yard, he loved cheering for the Georgia “Bulldawgs.” Throughout his life, he enjoyed sports and played baseball at ABAC prior to attending UGA. Tolly is lovingly remembered by his daughters: Paula McDonald (Marty) and Lydia Rogers of Americus, Georgia; his grandchildren Geoffrey McDonald (Chalonda) of St. Mary’s, Georgia and Andrew McDonald of Austin, Texas; and his caregivers Melissa McCrary of Chatsworth, Georgia; Sophronia Farrie, Brenda Haire, Shirley Lewis, Lisa Jackson of Sylvester, Georgia, and Diane Bentley of Sumner, Georgia. The family is grateful for the exceptional care given at home by Hospice of Tift Area and especially Zoe Dean, R.N. Following the celebration of his life on October 28 at 11:00 A.M. at Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall for a luncheon and visitation. Memorials may be given to Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church, The United Methodist Children’s Home, and Best Friends Humane Society.

Dr. Roland Tollison "Tolly" Rogers

April 6, 1933 - September 26, 2023