Charlotte Rogers Smith, Organist and Teacher

A memorial service will be held on Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Southampton Presbyterian Church for Charlotte Fordham Rogers Smith of Water Mill, who died of pneumonia at Southampton Hospital on Dec. 14 at the age of 95.

Mrs. Smith, a pianist, organist, and teacher who was the choir director of the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years, founded the Choral Society of the Hamptons in 1946 with a brother, Henry Fordham, and remained its driving force for many years. Known among her students as a taskmaster as well as an inspiration, she underwrote the society’s 50th anniversary summer performance, explaining that she wanted to be around to see the results.

She was born in Southampton on May 18, 1919, to Henry Halsey Fordham and the former Charlotte Post. She had seen Toscanini conduct in New York City at the age of 11 and was said to have chosen to attend New York University, from which she graduated with a degree in education in 1941, because it was near Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera. She taught for a time in Campbell, N.Y., after graduation.

In 1942, she was married to Harold Hildreth Rogers, a Water Mill poultry and potato farmer who reportedly had as many as 2,000 laying hens at one time, and she took on farm chores while also having a busy teaching career. After his death, she and Dinwiddie Smith of Bridgehampton were married in 1985.

Mrs. Smith remained active as an organist and teacher until her 80s and also played host at Sunday morning chamber music sessions at home. Although her life was dedicated to music, she was proud of her local farming and whaling heritage, and had written her memoirs.

She is survived by four children, James Hildreth Rogers of Newnan, Ga., Ann Rogers Morgan of Fort Myers, Fla., and Susan Rogers Grun and Paul Fordham Rogers, both of Water Mill. Paul Rogers, an architect, lives in the historic house on the Rogers farm. Mrs. Smith also is survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Her family has suggested memorial donations to a charity of one’s choice or to the East End Special Players, 1514 Montauk Highway, Water Mill 11976, or the Choral Society of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 1031, Bridgehampton 11932.

Correction: Charlotte Fordham Rogers' memorial service will be held on Jan. 17, contrary to what was originally reported.