Roger M. Elder, age 49, of Sevierville, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010 at U.T. Medical Center. He was a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. An avid outdoorsman with love for scuba diving, hiking, and camping. He was also active for many years in the Wildflower Pilgrimage and Wilderness Wildlife Week teaching Cherokee Folklore and Medicinal Plants. Preceded in death by, great-grandparents, Dr. John Edward and Jennie Elder, of Sevierville, Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, John Alfred and Ann Tahquette, of Cherokee, NC; grandparents, William Rogers and Viola Elder, of Sevierville, Mike H. and Emily Walkingstick, of Cherokee, NC; mother, Betty Elder, of Sevierville. He is survived by: parents, Bill and Anna Lou Elder, of Pigeon Forge;his wife Cathy Lazarra, sister and brother-in-law, Debra and Jim Catlett, of Sevierville; brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Jamie Beth Elder of Sevierville; nephew and niece, Justin and Meleah Catlett, of Sevierville; step-brothers, Mark Ogle and Jay Ogle and his wife, Karen, all of Pigeon Forge; special cousins, Dawnena and Shawna Darnall, and Audrey Walkingstick. Step-son, Christopher Turner, and Linda Watson. A memorial service was held at First Red Bank Baptist Church, 2120 Summerfield Lane, Sevierville, TN at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010 with the Rev. Tom Compton and Pastor Bill Merritt officiated. The family received friends at the church from 6:00-7:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Friends of The Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764. McCarty Funeral Directors, 607 Wall Street, Sevierville, 774-2950 was in charge of arrangements.
