Willetta Jewel (Rogers) Dantzler

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Dantzler will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE STRONGLY URGED!!!

Willetta Jewell Rogers Dantzler was born on August 1, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Willie Lewis Rogers and Addie Lee Moran. She was raised near the fairgrounds in the historic Black community of Oklahoma City, where her early years were shaped by family, faith, and a deep love of learning.

Willetta was a bright and curious child who loved to read and was known for her beautiful penmanship. She and her family were faithful members of Fifth Street Baptist Church, where she was baptized and developed a lifelong love for the Lord.

At the age of eight, Willetta’s life was further enriched by the birth of her only brother, James. She adored him and took him everywhere she went. Alongside her older sister Bonnie (Bonita) and her younger sister Maxine, Willetta showed early courage and quiet defiance of injustice. As young girls, they ventured into racially segregated areas of downtown Oklahoma City including a department store dressing room, the local malt shop and with boldness drinking from a “white” drinking fountain, ignoring Jim Crow laws—yet remarkably, they were never confronted.

In 1951, at just fifteen years old, Willetta walked with her mother to the hospital for the birth of her youngest sister, Faye. Willetta cherished her baby sister and lovingly cared for her as though she were her own child.

In 1954, Willetta graduated with honors from Douglass High School as one of the top students in her class. She pursued her calling to nursing and enrolled in a school in Springfield, Missouri. However, the overt racism she experienced there was intolerable. Determined not to return home, Willetta moved to Chicago, where she worked as a mother’s helper for a Jewish family, the Hopps. This pivotal relationship helped shape her future—building her self-esteem and assisting her in securing scholarships to attend the Grant School of Nursing in Chicago.

As the only Black student in her nursing class, Willetta endured racial slights from instructors and peers. This included being falsely accused of cheating, to grade deflation and exclusion from student social functions. Despite these challenges, she excelled and graduated as a top nursing student, earning her diploma certification as a Registered Nurse(RN) in 1958. She worked as an RN in Chicago.

During Willetta’s time in Chicago, she met James Dantzler, a student at DeVry Technical Institute. After a year of courtship, they were united in holy matrimony on June 21, 1959, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio — James’ hometown. Willetta worked at the renowned Cleveland Clinic, and between 1960 and 1962, the couple welcomed three children: Chris, Kathie, and Melanie.

Seeking new opportunities, the family moved to California, first settling in Los Angeles and later purchasing a home in Altadena. There, their family grew again with the birth of their fourth child, (Adelle) Julie.

Willetta dedicated decades of her life to nursing, working in several hospitals throughout the Los Angeles area, most notably at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Hollywood. She found her greatest joy caring for babies—premature infants, newborns, and pediatric patients. Highly respected by her colleagues, Willetta was often sought out for her knowledge, wisdom, and insight.

In 1980, James and Willetta expanded their family through adoption, welcoming a sibling group of five: Tina, Lamont, Nathan, Yvonne, and Gregory. Their hearts and home remained open as they fostered many children and became legal guardians to Gina Thomas and Dion Pedro.

Later in life, James and Willetta moved to Virginia and then settled in Durham, North Carolina. Willetta continued her nursing career at UNC Chapel Hill, once again working with newborns.  In fact, she was overjoyed to be present during the birth of her cherished granddaughter Maya and even took care of Maya in the newborn nursery as part of her duties. After five years at UNC, Willetta retired from nursing.

Willetta and James also lovingly cared for their dear grandchildren, Melanie Odessa, Matthew Raynell, and taking them everywhere and surrounding them with love. The Dantzler family joined White Rock Baptist Church in the mid 1990s where they were taught the Word of God and were active and involved members.

In 2007, Willetta experienced the heavenly promotion of her beloved husband, James. In the years following his passing, Willetta experienced health challenges. As her needs increased, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter Melanie, with periodic respite care provided by her daughter Julie.

On Friday, January 23, at 8:15 p.m., Willetta Rogers Dantzler was peacefully received into the arms of Jesus.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Lewis Rogers and Addie Lee Moran; her sisters, Bonita Richmond and Maxine Miller; and her son, James Christopher.

She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, James Rogers; her sister, Faye Eloise Rogers; her sister in law Annabelle Dantzler Dean, her brother in law Billy Miller, daughters Kathleen Annette, Melanie Yvette, Adelle Juliette, Sarah Justina, Bonita Yvonne, and Gina Thomas; sons Xavier Lamont, Nathan Dominic, Noah Gregory, and Dion Pedro; along with her grandchildren, LaRon, Dion, Tiffany, Trevon, Melanie, Matthew, Maya, Nautika, Camora, many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other loved ones.

Willetta’s life was one of faith, courage, compassion, and service as a mother and nurturer. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

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