Roger Nash, affectionately called "Smiling Jack" by Uncle Charlie, was born on January 27, 1968, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the union of Roy Lee and Lois Elender Nash. While at home, Roger transitioned peacefully to his eternal resting place on February 6, 2025, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Roger was truly "the baby" of the family and was, indeed spoiled. There are countless stories of him having his sisters, Micheline and Dacia, read Dr. Seuss's Too Many Daves so often that they learned the tales verbatim. Being read to was one of his favorite childhood pastimes.

Roger also had a knack for saving money. Their father would give him various denominations in $5 bills, $1 bills, and change for his allowance, and once he spent his dollar bills and change, he was officially broke. It became the responsibility of Micheline, Dacia, and Greg to supply his needs for the week until one day, Greg found Roger's stash of cash in his sock drawer. Roger had a passion for music, which began in his youth. At Martin Luther King Junior High School, Roger excelled at playing the alto saxophone. He won numerous awards and continued playing in high school at Lincoln Senior High School. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1987, he went on to study Criminal Justice at Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, IL.

Roger gave his life to Christ at an early age and became a member of Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church in Centreville, IL, where he served in the Young People Department. Roger married Rhonda M. Brown, and to this union, two children were born: Ajina and Ratisha. Roger's first "real job" was at Panera's Pizza, where he worked as a cook. He also spent many years working at Prairie Farms as a certified pasteurizer. Roger spent his later years as a caregiver to his mother, Lois, and also served as a videographer at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Roger Nash Leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Ajina Maia (Ruben) Hill and Ratisha Nash; granddaughter, AfriKa Ramani Hill; three siblings, Micheline Harris, Dacia Nash-Travis, and Gregory (Zena) Nash; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lois Nash; and two nieces, Reisha Douglas-Nash and Rhegan Ferrell.