Jean (Rogers) Safford

Jean Rogers Safford, 90, of Florence, died Sunday, September 20.  She was born on November 24, 1924, in Winchester, Kentucky.  In September 1946, she married Harry Bradley Safford of Utica, New York in the historic Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Kentucky.  After living for about nine years in Utica, New York they moved to Florence, Alabama in 1955.  Jean was a teenage convert to the Catholic Church and a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Florence.  She was a homemaker and the devoted mother of eight children.  Jean’s favorite hobby was pursuing her skills as an amateur artist. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Orlando Faulkner, and Fannie Jane Bailey Rogers, formerly of Campton, Kentucky and by three sisters and five brothers.  Her predeceased sisters are Mabel Rogers Donahoe, formerly of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, Hazel Rogers Hessel, formerly of Tucson, Arizona, and Joyce Rogers Beam, formerly of Winchester, Kentucky.  Her predeceased brothers are Johnnie Martin Rogers, formerly of Clay City, Kentucky, Elmer Rogers, formerly of Hamilton, Ohio, Woodrow Wilson Rogers, formerly of Shoals, Indiana, Allen Rogers, formerly of Winchester, Kentucky, and William Caywood Rogers, formerly of Fairfield, Ohio.  Jean was also preceded in death by her husband of over 68 years, Harry Bradley Safford, who died in September 2014, and a son, Thomas Mark Safford, who died in December 2007. 

Jean is survived by one other brother, George Thomas Rogers, of Winchester, Kentucky and by a daughter and six sons.  They are Suzanne S. Quick and husband, Reni, Apex, North Carolina, David J. Safford and wife, Deborah, Tuscaloosa, John R. Safford, Florence, Timothy W. Safford and wife, Martha, Florence, Donald S. Safford, Nashville, Tennessee, Michael B. Safford and wife, Dorinda, Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Robert J. Safford, Hendersonville, Tennessee.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

A family visitation will be held, Thursday, September 24, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Florence, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m.  Officiating will be Rev. Roy Runkle.  The burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, St. Florian.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the staff of the Florence Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Memories Unit and the staff of Amedisys Hospice for their excellent care during the past year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Church building fund or the St. Joseph School foundation, 115 Plum St., Florence, AL 35630.

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