ra Jean Rogers, devoted to her family, dies at 58

DEBRA JEAN ROGERS could belt out a song. She would sing her favorites at the top of her voice, letting everybody within earshot know how she felt about the tune.

Her tastes ranged from the R&B songs of the Whispers to the gospel music in praise of her religion.

Her favorite gospel song was Marvin Sapp's "Never Could Have Made It":

Never would have made it, never could have made it, without you.

I would have lost it all, but now I see how you were there for me.

"She would sing it with such conviction, we the family believe it was her personal testimony," said her son Hassan Niblack.

As for the Whispers, her son said that there wasn't a song that the group sang that she "didn't know word for word, and she would sing them all at the top of her voice."

When the singers, who originated in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, came to Philadelphia, Debra would be there, often with her sisters for what she called a "girls' day out."

Debra Rogers, a 35-year employee of the Frankford Candy Co., devoted family matriarch who passed on her spiritual and practical values to children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, died Sept. 29. She was 58 and lived in South Philadelphia.

In addition to always being available for the children who needed her advice and help, Debra had a tendency to spoil them rotten.

"They all knew she was the one they could go to and get what they wanted," her son said, "and she would see to it being done."

Debra was born in Philadelphia to Virgil Niblack and the former Louise Rogers. She graduated from South Philadelphia High School and attended Community College of Philadelphia, majoring in sociology.

She had a number of jobs, before going with the candy company.

"Although she only attained junior status at Community College," her son said, "Debbie defiantly earned her 'sociology' degree through the trials and tribulations of life experience.

"Growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood in South Philly equips a person with many positive attributes. One is the love of family and another is strength.

"Debbie possessed both qualities and used her God-given talents to help others.

"Often were the times that Debbie stepped up to the plate to care for family however she could, being supportive of each and every one of us."

Besides her son, she also is survived by two daughters, Cinquetta Niblack and Josette Catlett; another son, Derrick Niblack; three brothers, Dennis, Virgil Jr. and Michael Niblack; six sisters, Renee, Sheila, Valerie, Virgillia, Lisa and Jessica; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and her life companion, Melvin Brant.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at Church of the Redeemer, 24th and Dickinson streets. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Merion Memorial Park, Bala Cynwyd.