Dr. Lee Hartwell Rogers

Dr. Lee H. Rogers Tupelo - Dr. Lee Hartwell Rogers, 80, of Tupelo, Mississippi died Sunday, February 8th at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born in New Albany, Mississippi on December 29, 1934 to Leander Sims Rogers ("Lee") and Lucy Spencer Rogers. He was a graduate of New Albany High School, the University of Mississippi, and University of Mississippi Medical School. He received pre- residency training in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He completed his surgical internship and his residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN. He served in the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Coast Guard for two years. Dr. Rogers joined Dr. Leighton Pettis and Dr. Tom Wesson at Tupelo Eye Center in 1969 where he practiced ophthalmology until his retirement in 2000. His 31 year career of service to the medical community allowed him to better the lives and vision of many patients in North Mississippi. He served as chief of staff at North Mississippi Medical Center in 1985. He also worked to improve medical care in Mississippi by actively participating in the Mississippi State Medical Association throughout his career and retirement, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the state medical association. He also served as President of Northeast Mississippi Medical Society and was elected Councilor of the Southern Medical Association. He was President of the University of Mississippi Medical Center Alumni and a member of The Guardian Society. He was a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A devoted Christian and dedicated member of First United Methodist Church, he served as an usher, Sunday school teacher and on the administrative board. He was a proud Eagle Scout and worked as an advisor with Boy Scout Troop 12 and Camp Yocona. He was an active member of the Sigma Chi Alumni Association. He served as President of Tupelo Rotary Club, was selected as Rotarian of the Year 2009, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. His kind heart, keen wit, and quick smile uplifted the lives of his family, patients, and many friends. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. James Curtis and Rev. Lynn Mote presiding. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 44 years, Merrell Liveakos Rogers; daughter, Sims Rogers Polk (Chad) of Nashville, Tennessee; and son Lee Hartwell Rogers, Jr. (Kate) of Nashville Tennessee; sister Ann Rogers Dillard (John) of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Bentley Polk, Knox Polk, Jack Rogers, Gus Rogers, and Margaret Rogers; brother in law Richard Liveakos (Gloria Lind) of Pensacola, Florida, and sister in law Laura Liveakos Collatrella of Tupelo. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be Monday, February 9th from 4-7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo. Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House; PO Box 2177; Tupelo, MS 38803 or Rotary Foundation; PO Box 1143; Tupelo, MS 38802 or First United Methodist Church; 412 West Main; Tupelo, MS 38801.