Obituary of Rev. Roger Lancaster

Funeral services for Rev. Roger Lancaster, age 82, of Woodland, Alabama, will be held on Monday, July 11, 2016, at 1:00 PM at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church with Rev. Percy Nolan of St. Paul UMC, Huntsville, Alabama, officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, July 10, 2016. Rev. Lancaster departed this life on Monday, July 4, 2016, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the firstborn of two children to the late Mckinley and Mary Etta Lancaster of Woodland, Alabama, on December 4, 1933. Roger traveled extensively due to his service in the United States Army. However, he lived in Woodland where he made his home with his wife, Jessie. Rev. Lancaster’s faith was extremely important to him. His life was dedicated to his faith in God; thus, leading him into a full-time ministry. Upon his calling into the ministry, he served as a pastor in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. He received a Ministerial Course of Study Certificate of Attainment for the fifth year at Emory Theological Seminary. Prior to his ministry, he served in the United States Army where he fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Rev. Lancaster became Sergeant First Class. He was one of the first participants in the paramedic pilot program, the 101st Airborne Division. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Army when his service time was finished. One of the hobbies that gave Roger great joy was being a member of the Amateur Radio Club. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and reading. Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sister, Marjorie Jennings. Survivors include to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Jessie G. Lancaster of Woodland; sons, Xavier (Trudy) Lancaster of Virginia Beach, VA, Juan Lancaster of Hampton Beach, VA; daughter, Janine Lancaster of Glendale, CA; sons, Chadez (Kimberly) Griffin of Huntsville, AL, and Tionne (Keisha) Griffin of Huntsville, AL; niece, Fredia Miller of Sylacauga, AL; nine grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.