Roger Edward Elder was born on June 17th, 1943 to the parents of Clyde G. Elder Sr and Florence M. Ayers in Cincinnati, Ohio at General hospital. He was the youngest of five children; three boys and two girls. He peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at his home.

Roger grew up in the East End and Kennedy Heights and graduated from Withrow High School in 1962. He worked for Kroger as a Meat Cutter for 40 years until he retired in 2003.

Roger had many loves and talents and one of them was music. In his youth, he was part of a Cincinnati-based group called the Melvettes and in 1963 Roger wrote their song “Take One Step”. The song is currently available on YouTube which Roger would always politely suggest that you listen to. He also wrote a song called “Oh What a Warm and Good Feeling” that was dedicated to his beloved wife Mary.

In the 1970s, Roger was a drill team leader for the Squires and Squirettes of the Knights of Columbus. His love for the drill team inspired him in 2008 to become one of the founders of “Youth United Precision Color Guard” Drill team along with his late-nephew Greg Rinehart. The drill team marched in several local parades, and was once spotlighted in the Bud Billiken Day Parade in Chicago, the largest African-American parade in the United States.

For 15 years Roger spent his Christmas holidays playing Santa Claus for Drake Hospital for mothers of disabled children. One of his passions was history and he proudly called himself a historian. He especially loved Black history. One of the highlights of his life was participating in the historical reenactment of the 1862 Black Brigade of Cincinnati at the grand opening of Smale Riverfront Park in 2012. He was a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan too and said they are going to the Super Bowl this year. He swore to it. But his all-time love was fishing. Fresh water, deep sea, he loved it all.

Roger is proceeded in death by his parents Clyde Elder Sr and Florence Ayers Elder as well as his siblings, Clyde Elder Jr, Joan T. Hooks, Florence Whiting and Gordon Elder Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory and spirit, his best friend and loving, devoted wife Mary. His daughters Eve Mayes (Derrick), Crystal Holmes (Richard), Wendy Elder, Lisa Walker, Keniya Taylor (Lonzell), Stacy Scott (Kameron), Crystal Lewis (Michael), Kamilah Anderson, 19 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.