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Rogers was born in Lakeland, Fla., and has lived in Clayton and Henry counties. She graduated from Lakeland Business College and Atlanta Christian College, and was a former Rainbow Girl and Eastern Star.

A seamstress by trade, Rogers created her own business, Creative Classics Commercial Embroidery and Sewing in McDonough.

Her well-known talents in sewing earned her a voluntary role in mending and sewing Civil War-era uniforms and dresses, first with Stately Oaks Plantation in Jonesboro, and later with Nash Farm Park as a member of the 30th Georgia Company E and a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She eventually became a member of the Nash Farm Historical Battlefield Board of Directors.

Over the years, Rogers participated in Civil War re-enactments and was an active member of the Stone Mountain Hog Group in Lilburn, Ga. She was also a member of McDonough Christian Church in McDonough.

"Julie made a difference in everybody's life - everybody that she came in contact with," said friend, Brenda Langston. "And I feel like I'm a better person for having known her, and I thank God that she was in my life."

Langston, who lives in Suwanee, had known Rogers for nearly 40 years. Together, the pair attended Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Fla. In Georgia, they frequently had monthly outings in which they caught up on each others' lives.

"Julie was a very loving, caring individual," Langston said. "She looked out for others in any way she possibly could, and never expected anything in return. She was just an incredible person."

Stockbridge resident, Jane Turner, remembers first meeting Rogers at Stately Oaks about 15 years ago.

"She was a tour guide at Stately Oaks," Turner said. "As a volunteer, she would always want to help out. I first worked with her on Taste of Clayton, which benefited Historical Jonesboro."

Turner said the experience prompted Rogers to spearhead an effort in Henry County a few years ago, called Taste of Henry, a benefit for A Friend's House children's shelter in Henry County. Rogers served several years on the shelter's advisory board.

"Julie was the one that started 'Taste of Henry'," Turner said. "Few people know that because she worked under the radar, and she was that way about so many things. She never wanted to be the one in charge. She just wanted to get the work done."

Over the past few days, several of Rogers friends have shared their thoughts and experiences with Turner.

"It's unbelievable, the people that I've talked to about how much of an impact she has made," Turner said. "It was endearing to see how much they cared about her. Julie's been through some really, really tough times, but she never gave up and always had a positive attitude. She always had hope for her future.

"She always could see the good in everybody that she knew. She was just such a caring and sweet person. She did so many things to help out her friends. She's really an inspiration to people who are having a hard time. I'll miss her. She was a very dear friend."

To Mark Pollard, Rogers was the quintessential volunteer. "She was probably our No.1 volunteer," said Pollard, a Civil War historian, who first met Rogers more than 20 years ago. "She did anything she could to help raise money for Nash Farm. I would say she was probably Henry County's No.1 volunteer. She was a good friend and a great person - a gentle and loving person."

Rogers had volunteered at various antebellum re-enactments, as an ambassador with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of Friends of Nash Farm Battle Field. She was an essential part in helping coordinate the area's Independence Day Festival at Nash Farm Park.

"She was just a great supporter of many groups, who selflessly gave of herself 510 percent," Pollard said.

Rogers - a Henry County resident who was born in Lakeland, Fla. - was preceded in death by her mother, Constance Alta Rogers. She was a member of McDonough Christian Church. And in life, she participated in many organizations not mentioned.

"Julie was one of those really kind spirits that had a smile for everybody," added Connecting Henry Director Denese Rodgers. "You don't find any body who says anything bad about her, because she was so kind. I think God must have needed an angel."

The local seamstress stood tall in life, as a tree would stand in the park.

Julie Rogers stood with purpose as the unassuming heart of a community, helping comfort those around her.

Rogers, who died on Nov. 26 at the age of 54, was a lady of many talents and a source of thankless duty. That is her legacy, a legacy many local residents hope to memorialize.

"I can't believe this is my baby sister," said Sherrill Fulton, Rogers' sister. "She has a legacy."

Those who knew Rogers said her level of community service was understated, but unmatched at the same time. Most of her accomplishments were unspoken and went unpublicized. But several within Henry and Clayton counties laud her life's achievements as remarkable and all-affecting.

"The responses from her death are shock and surprise," Fulton said.

During her sister's wake, Fulton accepted words of condolence from friends and acquaintances, whose lives had been positively marked by Rogers. She described her sister much like they did, as the stitch helping hold the family close together, and as the person she looked up to.

"She was dedicated, loyal and loving," Fulton said. "She was the one that would do surprises for us - all of her siblings throughout the years. She was daring, I was not. She could ride a bike before me, and I was a year and a half older. She dared, she learned, and she was not afraid."