ssharpBy SUSAN SHARP
Let’s face it most of us don’t light up rooms or make other people smile. In fact, few of us actually do.
But Cindi Rogers, she was different.
It was her mission to do those things.
Working at the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce she was the county’s director of tourism and retirement. This county will never have a better cheerleader than Cindi.
She loved this county and wanted everyone else to see what she loved about it.
Cindi was also an optimist. In a world where only seeing the bad and believing that people are unredeemable have become the norm, Cindi refused to do this. Instead, she smiled, looked for the good and sometimes, she actually found it.
In Campbell County, most of us know each other and have for a long time.
And when we lose one of our own it cuts deep.
That is where we are today.
On Saturday night, we lost Cindi. While we all may search for the why, I feel confident that is not what Cindi would want. Instead, I am sure, she would want us to offer forgiveness. And she would want us to remember her with a laugh and a story.
I have known Cindi since we both were enrolled in Ms. Emma Teague’s kindergarten class at East LaFollette Elementary School. She always had this white blonde hair that was often in a ponytail. From then on, we were always in the same class, and we were friends. As we grew older, Cindi was known to throw parties for the class, always under the watchful eye of her mother Shirley. For many of us, an invitation to Cindi’s house meant a hug from her mom and plenty of snacks.
Time moved forward, and as we grew older, Cindi pretty much was Cindi. She was friendly, smiling and more often than not she organizing something for the rest of us.
As adults, we drifted then life brought us back together.
No matter the reason I called her- work or personal- she always made time to talk. That’s just who she was.
When the news began to spread of her death, I started thinking of the lives that would be affected by it. The list grew, then it grew again.
I realized this entire community knew her.
This was a woman who did everything with a delight that most of us would consider passé. For Cindi, every day was new and a chance to be happy and love someone.
One of her last Facebook posts was a picture of her daughters. They were sitting outside and they were laughing. The love in that photo could be felt, and you stopped scrolling for just a minute to take it in.
In my heart I believe that is what Cindi would want- she would want us to stop, take in everything around us and then remember her with a laugh and a smile. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED- 11/2/2020- 6AM)
What a wonderful tribute… although I did not have the honor of knowing Cindi well, I feel her loss. I could tell she was a person of caring and love — a true servant of God. She will be greatly missed.
You said it Susan. What a great tribute. She was everything you said and more. No matter what life dealt her she always faced it with a big happy face and then would comment. She was always positive and she loved her family so much. Her faith was enormous. Fly with the Angels Cindi
Cindi was one of the first persons I met moving to CC almost 30 years ago. Through banking and tourism, we wondered in and out of each other’s lives. However, it was a small group from Hope & Stand that we became friends. As we were in different groups together, we bonded as sisters. I could call or text and she was there. She was an encourager and inspiration! She drew smiles without effort. She was exploding from happiness Thursday night. She was laughing as she loaded her pumpkin bread with loads of whipped cream. She was contagious. My life is richer because of Cindi. My heart is heavier because she is gone. I know her family is so devastated. I pray each day they remember how passionately she loved them, how proud she was of them!
In my personal experiences with Cindi, she represented Jesus well with her life.
What a lovely tribute to Cindi. I don’t think I ever seen her without a smile on her face. She was herself where ever she was. I enjoyed talking with her, especially about her mom, Shirley. What a wonderful family and a tremendous loss for all her knew her.
I only knew Cindi as a beautiful child, but being the child of her wonderful mother, Shirley, she couldn’t be anything other than gracious and caring. I mourn her loss for her family and the Campbell County community. She is now in the arms of Jesus!!
I am sorry I don’t know Cindi. I lived in Campbell County for 36 years of my life. I do feel for her family having to go through this. May God be with them during this rough time.
What a beautifully written Soliloquy about an amazing and cherished member of our hometown. Cindi definitely made people feel important and will long be remembered for being an outgoing friend and for her shining kindness…
Strong prayers for Cindi, her daughters, Shirley, Mike, Brian and our community.
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul!
Perfect Susan! Thank you for remembering our “light”, our Face of Campbell County. Cindi has left a chasm that no person or group will ever be able to fill. I was blessed to know Cindi, call her friend, watch Kyla & Micah grow into the amazing young. women they are, be under the tutelage of Campbell County’s true Southern Belle, Mrs. Shirley… blessed. Cindi, your smile and infectious persona will always be amongst my sweetest memories!
I just can’t seem to find the right words. I’ve known Cindy from the time she was just a little girl. I can’t imagine the hurt Shirley is going though. She was such a sweet girl. She went to school with my children , so we all go way back. Fly with the angels Cindy!
This says says everything about our precious Cindi! She always put a smile on your face and lit the room with her contagious energy! She was a great friend yo me since 5 th grade and after seeing her daughters tonight I’m confident that they have her strong will , love, and vibrance in them! She will be so sadly missed, but live in our hearts forever!
Well said Susan!! She lit up a room and had a smile always! I loved her for her sweet caring nature and her loving friendship!! She would want us to be happy and keep shining! She was a terrific momma, and she shined through her girls tonight through and through! They are brave, bold, and humble just like her! I’m pretty sure we will see her through both of them for years to come! She did an awesome job with them! I will always miss her but I know she’s in a beautiful place! She was a beautiful sweet soul! Fly angel friend! We will all be here for your amazing girls!!!
What a beautiful tribute. I had the honor of knowing Cindi sine we were little girls. I’ve went to church with her just about my whole life. Cindi had a love for people that we all should have. I do believe she will live on in her two beautiful daughters. Prayers for the family.
God bless you Cindi! Your love, advice, and prayers will be remembered by me always!!
Thank you gal!!!
💔
Lovely tribute for a friend. Cindi had the attitude that if it needs to be done and she said she was going to do it, you knew it was going to get done! And with a SMILE. I will miss the times when I would walk into a meeting and she would seek me out to give me a hug. She always had a smile. My heart breaks for Shirley as a mom, Cindi was the light in her life and for Kayla and Micha they were the light in Cindi’s life. It is in times like these that you rely on your memories to get you through the loss. There a so many memories she has made for so many of us.
My heart continues to break over this. I like several others that have posted including Susan that wrote this touching article about Cindi have all known her since we were young, one of the nicest things about our generation and I am about 3 years older than Cindi is that when we made friends back then we usually got to know the family as well. Now as I set as a man with a daughter myself I cannot even begin to express enough words of sympathy to Shirley, Cindi’s children, Ben and a community that has had to be stunned by this. To put this simply so I don’t take up to much written space Cindi was always smiling, she had a Beautiful Smile!! She was a wonderful person that made a positive impact on all those she knew. I just cannot understand the cruelty in our world but I have zero doubt Cindi is in Heaven now Still Smiling, May our Lord Comfort her Family Now until they meet her again in Heaven.
I worked at the University of Tennessee when Cindi was working there. She was a RAY OF SUNSHINE 🌞 to everyone she came in contact with!
My condolences go out to my long time dear friend Shirley, may God help you through your tragic loss. Cindi was a sweet lovely lady and I was blessed to have her as friend also; my love and prayers go out to Shirley and family.