Samuel Rogers Passes

Another original member of the Mississippi-Syracuse singing group The Friendly Five has recently passed away.


Samuel Rogers, 86, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 at Central Park Nursing Home. Born in Mississippi, Samuel lived most of his life in Queens, where he was an accomplished musician. Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Loretta McBride and May Francis Clark; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Samuel spent a small part of his life here in Syracuse singing in the group with two of my uncles Mango and George L Gray. Also in the group was JD Smith another Mississippi native who has now passed on.

A calling hour will be held Friday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon, with the funeral service to follow at A. Dewitt Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 4612 S. Salina Street. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery.