Born in Ellistown and raised there and in Tupelo, Roger was the oldest boy in a family of six children. He was 11 years old when their father died, leaving him as the "man of the house". His influence was strong and positive on his younger brothers, especially the two youngest, Ray and W.R. He and brother Namon mentored the younger boys, helping their mother see to their upbringing, and encouraging them in academics and athletics. Always a champion of athletics, during the 1930's he owned and coached a barnstorming women's semipro basketball team known as the Tupelo Redwings. While many of these young women were outstanding players, one, Lily Margaret Wade, went on to become one of the first three women inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was with the Tupelo Journal (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal) and was editor of the Meridian Star.
Born in Ellistown and raised there and in Tupelo, Roger was the oldest boy in a family of six children. He was 11 years old when their father died, leaving him as the "man of the house". His influence was strong and positive on his younger brothers, especially the two youngest, Ray and W.R. He and brother Namon mentored the younger boys, helping their mother see to their upbringing, and encouraging them in academics and athletics. Always a champion of athletics, during the 1930's he owned and coached a barnstorming women's semipro basketball team known as the Tupelo Redwings. While many of these young women were outstanding players, one, Lily Margaret Wade, went on to become one of the first three women inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was with the Tupelo Journal (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal) and was editor of the Meridian Star.
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