In Memory of Faye Rogers

What does a LOVE of 60 years look like?

When 17 year old Faye Cline stopped in for gas at Hartman’s Service Station (old Parkview Gas Station), little did the girl from the Green Mountain area know that the Mt. Clinton boy pumping her gas, 19 year old Bud Rogers, would become the love of her life.

We should all be so lucky to build a beautiful life like Bud and Faye did over the past 60 years. Together, they owned and operated Shenandoah Valley Auto Sales in Bridgewater and Dayton, Virginia for over thirty years. They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: raising a daughter, Karen Rogers, restoring classic cars, traversing Virginia helping their grandson Chad Rogers race motocross and enjoying time with their granddaughter Kayla Papotnik. She adored her great granddaughters Hadleigh Rogers and Aria Papotnik. Faye was an avid quilter, crafter and creative with toll. Her love for corvettes was as legendary as her love of people. She never knew a stranger. Whether in a coffee shop or at her business, Faye had a rare talent for listening to people who naturally gravitated to her for advice or just a hug.

In the early years, Faye worked at WSVA as an accountant, then was at Bud’s side helping him grow his business. Rarely did you see one without the other; it was a love story for the ages. As members of the Antioch Christian Church, Faye gave her life to the Lord and went to meet him on March 8 following a yearlong battle with breast/bone cancer. With Bud at her side night and day for a year, he did what was necessary to honor her final wishes to be kept at home.

When I first met Bud and Faye, I was a crazy, sixteen year old who just moved to Virginia. I had obtained two part time jobs; however, without a vehicle, I had to walk or hitch-hike to work (it was the 70s) because my mom worked late-night shifts at the emergency room at the hospital. Needless to say, I was in desperate need of a car. After all the local banks turned down my loan applications, Bud and Faye cosigned a loan for me. Imagine taking a risk like that on a complete stranger, and a teenager at that. This random act of kindness has always stuck with me and helped me grow as a person. Now, I want to return the kindness.

This last year has been tumultuous for the Rogers family, both emotionally and monetarily. Cancer destroys lives in many ways. As private people, no one really knew the extent of Faye's illness or the hardship that has piled up mountains hospital bills and funeral costs.

We are all heartbroken by Bud’s loss for Faye was his soulmate. The best way I know how to honor her life while helping Bud at the same time is through this go fund me page. Valley people always take care of each other, for it truly takes a village when disaster strikes. While we cannot bring Faye back, we can help Bud move forward. Let's help him recover from his loss of work during his year of caring full time for Faye. Thank You!