Roderick Corton (Carlton) Nelson Sr. was born December 20, 1958, in Saint Louis, Mo. to Sandra M. Smith. He was raised in the south end of E.St.Louis IL., by his grandparents Cleave Nelson and Mae Anna Nelson whom preceded him in death. Along with his mother, Sandra M. Smith, and one sister Christine Smith. Roderick attended Dunbar Elementary School, Martin Luther King Junior High School and East St. Louis Senior High School in East Saint Louis, Illinois.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1977 and he was also a roofer and landscaper by trade. However, his greatest accomplishment was his five children.

Roderick was affectionately known by many names such as Doc, Napps, Passion, New York, Done done it, Tennessee, Happy and Victory. Roderick was an excellent basketball player, public speaker and swimmer. He honed these skills attending Dunbar School, the Mary E. Brown Center and Lincoln Park in East Saint Louis, Illinois. His love for people was obvious and he often stated he never met a stranger. He made everyone laugh by telling comical stories and he had a smile that would light up a room.  Roderick also loved to dance and listen to both soul and gospel music.  His favorite soul group of all time was The Isley Brothers with hit songs like "For the Love of You" and "Summer Breeze".  His favorite gospel artist was Juanita Bynum who sang one of his most liked gospel hymns "You are my Peace".

Roderick confessed a hope in Christ in July 1969 at Truelight Missionary Baptist Church in East Saint Louis, Illinois.  He attended Love and Liberty Community Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia under the leadership of his brother in-law and sister, Bishops Harold Sr. and Dr. Ernestine M. Davis. Roderick made his transition from earth to Glory on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Roderick leaves to cherish his memory, his current spouse, Diann Curtis-Nelson, whom he wed in March of 2006 of Morrow, GA; his oldest daughter, Signoret M. Mitchell (Aaron C. Mitchell) and her mother Sharon M. McKnight  of Belleville, IL;  his first spouse, Ethel Mae Mister of Rochester, NY and to this union were born three sons, Roderick C. Nelson Jr. of Rochester, NY; Marcus D. Mister of Atlanta, GA;  Kevin L. Mister (Alike Mister) of Rochester, NY; and one daughter Ebony C. Nelson of Rochester, NY.

Roderick also leaves to cherish his memory one sister, Dr. Ernestine M. Davis (Harold L. Davis Sr.) of Braselton, GA;  14 grandchildren:  Zenobia A. Mitchell; Shevante J. Day (Joo Yeon Day); Saadiya A.M. Mitchell; Saeed A. Mitchell; Simeon A. Mitchell; Savion A. Mitchell; Shamara A. Mitchell; Silas A. Mitchell; Tatyana Phinnessee; Rodrique Bradley; Aniya Kalejha Mister; Raphael Jahon Jones-Thomas; Autumn Signoret Nelson; one great granddaughter, Treasure Scales; two nieces, Marina Davis and Halle Davis; one nephew: Harold Davis Jr.; two aunts, Lotye Parks and Barbara Irby; one uncle, Michael Nelson; and a host of cousins and friends.