Community Shares Tears and Memories at Candlelight Vigil
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: September 21, 2012
There was a strong showing of support at Hardin-Simmons' Shelton Stadium Thursday evening.
"And God we ask that you help heal us through the mourning and through the grief. That you help us to lean upon one another and that through that experience and through that ministry we might find strength."
One by one, they entered the stadium to celebrate the life of the 21-year-old volleyball player.
Rogers' roommate, Leah Greenfield, says, "Before work we would always joke around and we would always just be in there making jokes. Me making fun of her for being so country. I miss her, just her, everything about her."
Songs played as friends and family left words that described the vibrant 21-year old.
They also had an opportunity to reflect and remember the good times they shared with Jessica.
"She touched so many people," Greenfield adds.
You can see it on their faces, how much the loss of their friend, teammate and daughter, has affected them.
"It's been hard," says Greenfield.
The overwhelming support from the Hardin-Simmons community has helped Rogers' parents deal with the tragic loss of their daughter.
"This is a flood of mixed emotions. I mean, we're just shredded inside by the loss of our kid and all at the same time, very happy," says Doug Rogers.
As candles were lit at the end of the vigil, Jessica's dad said tears will always fall, but he hopes from this day forward will be tears of joy, and not tears of sadness.
"And God we ask that you help heal us through the mourning and through the grief. That you help us to lean upon one another and that through that experience and through that ministry we might find strength."
One by one, they entered the stadium to celebrate the life of the 21-year-old volleyball player.
Rogers' roommate, Leah Greenfield, says, "Before work we would always joke around and we would always just be in there making jokes. Me making fun of her for being so country. I miss her, just her, everything about her."
Songs played as friends and family left words that described the vibrant 21-year old.
They also had an opportunity to reflect and remember the good times they shared with Jessica.
"She touched so many people," Greenfield adds.
You can see it on their faces, how much the loss of their friend, teammate and daughter, has affected them.
"It's been hard," says Greenfield.
The overwhelming support from the Hardin-Simmons community has helped Rogers' parents deal with the tragic loss of their daughter.
"This is a flood of mixed emotions. I mean, we're just shredded inside by the loss of our kid and all at the same time, very happy," says Doug Rogers.
As candles were lit at the end of the vigil, Jessica's dad said tears will always fall, but he hopes from this day forward will be tears of joy, and not tears of sadness.
