Roger L. Smith was born to the late Samuel, Sr., and Rosa Smith on July 9, 1953. "Sweetpea" affectionally called by his mother was the youngest of five children.
Roger obeyed the gospel under the teachings of Minister Jessie Davis and was Baptized at 201 Church of Christ on 10th Avenue East in Bradenton, Florida. On August 9, in the presence of his beloved wife, Roger departed this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior.
Raised in "The Rogers Projects" of Bradenton, Florida, he attended Manatee High School where he played football and gained the nickname Bomber. Roger loved singing, especially with his friends, Alvin Salters (deceased), Darnell Thomas, and Greg Millhouse. At Sixteen, while in High School, Roger began working in retail. Roger attended Manatee Junior College for 2 years. Roger had an overwhelming passion for Singing and Retail Management. That passion continued for over forty-five years. He even wrote a retail song "O Lord it's Hard to be Humble" It never made the top 40 but he did not care. During the retail conferences that he attended, Roger would perform his song as Johnny Cash, James Brown, and even Superman.
Roger was preceded in death by his Father Samuel Smith Sr., his Mother Rosa Smith, his sister Cynthia Hunter, and his sister Sandra Mitchell.
He leaves to cherish his memories; his Wife Bevlon Smith; his two daughters, Tamekia Daniels, Miami Florida, and Jasmine Tompkins (Terez), Bowie Maryland; his sister Brenda Joyce Combs, Bradenton Florida, and brother Samuel Smith Jr.(Evelyn), Delray Beach Florida; four nephews Troy Smith, Bradenton Florida, Joseph Hunter, Sarasota Florida, Michael Woodie, Rochester New York, and Russell Woodie, Rochester New York; three nieces Shontia Jones (Chauncey), Wimauma Florida, Trevenna Mitchell, Rochester New York, and Tina Mitchell, Rochester, New York; three grandchildren Robert Daniels Jr. Miami Florida, Aaliyah Daniels, Miami Florida, and Kendall Tompkins, Bowie Maryland. BFFS Tina and Henry Smith, Rosevelt and Cassandre Jackson, Frank and Connie Moultrie. And many great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, church family, and friends.
