Cecil "Jeanette'' Rogers Erickson

Cecil "Jeanette" Rogers Erickson was born on September 26, 1934, to Walter and Maude (Hiatt) Foster in Weatherford, OK. She passed away at her home in Kernville, CA, on April 15, 2025.
In the summer of 1937, Jeanette was just 3 years old, along with her family, headed from Weatherford, OK, to Van Nuys, California.
She attended Van Nuys High School and won many awards for her artwork.
At 16, she began working at JC Penney Department Store, doing the window displays. Once she graduated from High School, she not only worked for JC Penney but branched out into doing the windows for several exclusive dress shops on Ventura Blvd. Her love for decorating continued as she decorated for each and every event she was involved in. Let's not get started on the number of bins she had for decorating!
Growing up Jeanette was raised in the Foursquare denomination.
Her faith in God was the most important part of her life.
In 1964, Jeanette, along with her children Dani (aka Cindi), and Sandy, her husband Harry Rogers, her sister Betty and brother­ in-law Paul Fleming and their children moved to the Kern River Valley.
After a short time in the Valley, Jeanette had two more children, Christopher "Chrissie" or as Harry would call him "Mucket" born in 1965, unfortunately he passed away in 1966 and then about five months later came Andrew, she called him "Andy Bug". She loved and adored all her children.
When she moved to the Valley, she attended several of the churches, but few had children's programs, so she and her sister Betty went on a mission to pioneer a Foursquare Church in the Valley.
The spot was Wofford Heights, CA. It began in the old movie theater temporarily, as the sanctuary was being built. Her goal was to have a minimum of 100 children and adults in attendance. Guess what? With the help of others, she achieved that goal prior to moving into the·new Foursquare Church buildjng in 1968.
The Foursquare Church, which became known as the Family Life Center, was a flourishing Congregation, seeing many lives changed. There were salvations, weddings, baptisms, child dedications, youth programs... So many seeds were planted into individual lives - with God and a dream of a place for her children as well as other children in this Valley, to learn and love the Lord. The impact she had was undeniable!
She was the "Queen" of community involvement. You would see Ms. Jeanette coming, if you didn't turn around, she would have you agreeing to do something! Hence, Lanny Borthick gave her the name, "The Velvet Hammer!"
She will always be remembered for the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation Heart Walk, later named "The Jeanette Rogers Erickson Heart Walk". This went on for 26 years. She received several awards and recognition for this event which brought in monetary support for the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation.
The Peddler's Fair was another event she put on year after year. She loved to bring community, organizations and family together. She also enjoyed peddling her wares!
Her artwork is one of a kind! She was honored to have more than a dozen of her drawings selected for the official artwork of our Whiskey Flat Days celebration, bringing them to life with her artistic renderings.
Jeanette had an unwavering love for the USA. She was a big supporter of the Honor Flight of Kern County. She had a deep respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women that served in the military. In years past, she would put on a USO event to honor the service men and women of the area. She would have live entertainment, dance contests and encourage people to come dressed up. She of course had all kinds of memorabilia and military uniforms to decorate. She loved our Country. I can still hear Jeanette say, "Remember to pray for our Country and our leaders".
Although recognized for her achievements and many honors from Local Clubs, County Agencies, State Government, U.S. Congress and U.S. House of Representative, Jeanette was humble and always ready to serve.
She served the people of the Kern River Valley, volunteering her time and energy to so many organizations. She did this without hesitation, helping put the Kern River Valley literally on the map!
In 1998, she met a man whose life she would change forever, and in turn, he changed hers. After a long courtship, she married Charley Erickson in 2010 and moved into the beautiful castle he had built with her in mind as his Queen.
They were blessed and had a truly remarkable treasured romance and time together. Charley went to be with the Lord in 2016.
Jeanette would often talk about the day she would get to dance with Charley...but she hoped he had been having dance lesson in heaven! She is dancing with him now!
With this marriage, she gained another daughter that she loved - Jan Mazzone.
In her later years, Knuckle Up Ministries became her church home. She loved and enjoyed the people who attended this church. Always giving hope, words of wisdom, prayer and unconditional love. They cherished her Godly love and wisdom and appreciated her beyond measure.
Although very tired, she once again amazed us all by doing one last sermon on April 6, 2025, where she spoke at two services sharing her heart. You can find this on Facebook - Knuckle Up Ministries Official page. Some of her words of wisdom she shared that day were: Don't Criticize, Don't be Judgmental, Don't be Territorial, Don't Whine, Stay the Course and Pray for (y)our Pastor!
She left a mark in so many ways, but for little ones, to get a bright red "Jeanette kiss" on the cheek was something they all desired!
She has touched so many lives from young to old and for that she is Javed by all who knew her. Unashamedly sentimental, often poignant, idealistic and perhaps a little na·ive, Jeanette's love of God, Family and Country is the legacy she leaves to all who have been blessed to know her.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Maude (Hiatt) Foster, her darling sister Betty (Foster) Fleming, her sweet husband Charley Erickson, her son Christopher and her precious daughter Dani Hill who died on April 23, 2025.
She is survived by her children, Dan Hill (Son-in-law), Sandy and Pam Rogers, Andy Rogers, and Jan Mazzone; her ten grandchildren Shasta, Tyler, Christopher (Mara), Casey (Brielle), Cody (Chelsea), Tyler (Heidi), Jerad, Connor, Maren and Bethany; her ten great grandchildren Ryland, Peyton, Lyra, Rhys, Rhett, Hayden, Kaden, Rylon, Savana, and Tru. In addition, she had numerous nieces and nephews she dearly loved, and she was particularly close to her sister Betty's children Lynda, Randy, and Jim. As well as her fun-loving cousin, Bill Grable.