Sarah Jane Rodgers, of Holdenville, Oklahoma died at home surrounded by family on December 15, 2015. She was 88. A celebration of life was held on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Holdenville.

Sarah was born August 10, 1927 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of eight children. Her parents were the former Lt. Gov. James E. Berry and Edwina M. Berry. She graduated from Stillwater High School and then attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia and graduated from Oklahoma A&M college in 1948 with a bachelor's degree. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Mortar Board and the Association of Women Students.

James W. Rodgers and Sarah Jane Berry were married June 18, 1949 in Stillwater, Oklahoma and then moved to Holdenville. They were married for 58 years until Jim's death in 2008.

Sarah Jane considered citizenship a responsibility we all must fulfill. She was passionate about politics and was considered one of the most respected women in Oklahoma Democratic politics. She attended several district, state and national conventions and held national and state offices in the Federation of Democratic Women. Her smiling face was seen with Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and former Speaker of the House Carl Albert among others.

She embraced her family and kept peace during Bedlam as it was a house divided. Sarah embraced technology from PC's to Kindles. She had a good sense of humor and loved to travel, cook and cheer on her Cowboys. When at home relaxing, she was a voracious reader. She was active in the Pink Ladies, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Holdenville Library Board and St. Paul's Episcopal Church where she served in numerous capacities. For many years, she documented all the family activities through "Sarah's Clipping Service" or scrapbooking. She also enjoyed geneaology.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters and husband. Sarah is survived by four children: James William 'Bill' Rodgers III and wife Pamela of Richardson, Texas; Robert Berry 'Bob' Rodgers and wife Judy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Beverly Rodgers of Holdenville and Rebecca 'Becky' Rodgers Smith and husband Steve of Greensboro, Georgia. She is also survived by two grandchildren Robert Berry 'Rob' Rodgers, Jr. and wife Abby of Tulsa, and Jennifer Rodgers of Oklahoma City; and two great grandchildren, four step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Sarah Jane Rodgers to one of these three charities: Cavett Kids Foundation, 3801 N. Classen Blvd., Ste. #300, Oklahoma City OK 73118; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, PO Box 69, Holdenville OK 74848, or Holdenville Education Foundation, PO Box 641, Holdenville OK 74848.