Roscoe Lavender Sr.

Roscoe Lavender Sr., age 97, of River Rouge passed away on October 24, 2025. Beloved partner of Pauline Johnson for 46 years. Loving father of Roscoe Lavender Jr. (his oldest living son), Norman Lavender, and Steve (Shia) Lavender. He has over 20 grandchildren and over 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Pauline's daughters, Debra (Dennis) Ross and Lisa (Paul) Brooks. He was a special friend to Leroy Taylor and brother-in-law to Maxine Redding. He was previously married to Sarah (Sims) Lavender.
Roscoe was preceded in death by his children Roderick Lavender, Bryan E Lavender and Cleon Johnson; and 10 siblings, Will Lavender, Gusola Lavender-Redding, Magnolia Lavender-Miles, Mattie Lee Lavender-Miles, Charlie Lavender, Millie Ann Lavender-Wright, Ruel Lavender, Grace Pearl Lavender, and 2 that died at birth.
Roscoe was born on May 10, 1928, in Lovejoy, Georgia to Arthur and Roberta Lavender. He moved to River Rouge, Michigan in 1946 and entered the US Army in 1954, being honorably discharged in 1956.
During Roscoe's 97 years, he lived to see the first black President of the United States, as well as the first Black Woman Vice President of the US and first Woman in history. He loved hunting and fishing, which he got from his Georgia roots. Roscoe was still driving a car at 97 years old. Leading up to his last days he still cleaned and cooked his daily meals. He would always try something himself first before asking for help.
Visitation Friday, October 31, 2025, from 10am until his 12noon funeral service at Kernan Funeral Home, 1020 Fort St., Lincoln Park.