Jean Rogers Steele

Jean Rogers Steele of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal rest on Friday, July, 26, 2024 in her home, surrounded by family, after an 18 year battle with End Stage Renal Disease.

She was born on November 29, 1939, in Charleston, SC to Edwin W. Rogers and Louise B. Rogers. Jean attended North Charleston area schools, and graduated from Chicora High School, where she was voted "Best Dancer" Senior Superlative by the Class of 1957. She lived and worked in California and danced with a semi-professional company. She moved back to Charleston in 1962 and went to work for the Federal Government at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. She met and married Percy L. Steele Jr. in 1963. They had two beautiful daughters, Jean Louisa and Susan. After being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, Jean went back to work at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, where she was a Secretary for the Urology Clinic. After having been a lifetime dancer, Jean opened Dance Unlimited Studios in 1979. She taught thousands of children and adults the art of dance. In 1984, sensing the need for teenagers to have a safe place to go and hang out, she opened Footzi's Teen Club in West Ashley. In 1986, she turned Footzi's into JB Pivots Beach Club for shag dancers. She retired from the club business in 1994 and retired from teaching dance in 2001. She was an avid shag dancer all of her life, having been inducted into the Charleston Area Shaggers Hall of Fame in 2017.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister (Debbie Rogers), and her ex-husband (Percy L. Steele Jr). She is survived by her two daughters, Jean Louisa Steele and Susan Steele Roberts; three granddaughters, Louisa Bradford, Eliza Bradford, and Steeley Roberts; her brother Sonny Rogers (Diana); a niece, a nephew, many cousins, and life long friends. She is also survived by her great-granddog Tegan, and her beloved bad cat Charlie.

Jean had music in her feet and laughter in her heart, and "when you get the choice to sit it out or dance", Jean wants you to dance... so, "Shut Up and Shag".

Jean's memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 714 Riverdale Drive, Charleston, SC 29407, on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM. The family will receive friends in the church one hour prior to the service. A celebration of life will follow at the Charleston Elks Lodge Lounge, 1113 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29407. Memorials in Jean's name can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer or the National Kidney Foundation.