Unity Mortuary | Knoxville, TN

Obituary For Dedrick Maurice Elder

Dedrick Maurice Elder

Dedrick Maurice Elder passed on to his heavenly home on July 5, 2024, at the age of 64 in Milwaukee, WI. Born on September 20, 1959, in Knoxville, TN, Dedrick was a devoted friend, educator, and coach.

Dedrick attended Dominican High School and later Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, where he played basketball and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. He was recently honored for 10 years of teaching at Academy of Excellence where he also coached basketball.

Dedrick was very vocal about his love and appreciation for his family, his students, and most of all, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He worshiped at Calvary Baptist Church.

He is survived by his beloved mother, Jenelle Elder-Green, and his twin children, Dedra Davis and Dorian Davis.

The Northwest Funeral Chapel in Milwaukee, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Milwaukee on Friday, July 12th at 11am. Funeral and interment services will take place at Unity Mortuary in Knoxville, TN, on Friday July 19th at 11am. Dedrick’s life and legacy will be fondly remembered by his family, his many students, and friends.

The final resting place will be held at the Mt. Olive Cemetery immediately following the service. A dove release will conclude in his honor.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff of Unity Mortuary, 1425 McCalla Ave. Knoxville, TN 37915. www.unitymortuay1979.com

Guest Book

"D", which is the affectionate nickname I gave you out of respect for the smoothness of how you played the game of basketball in our youth. A style that mimicked your favorite Milwaukee Bucks player at the time, basketball hall of famer Robert "Bobby D, The Greyhound" Dandridge, I just called you "D". From our days at St. Benedict/Urban Day (a school with a unique rich history in Milwaukee education (https://archive.jsonline.com/news/education/urban-day-schools-honorable-end-closes-a-milwaukee-story-b99707418z1-375942231.html/), ours days at Dominican High School and until the days our sophomore year in college, we shared a close bond. You, a jazz connoisseur and me a lover of Funk and R&B and as our friendship grew, you taught me how to enjoy jazz as I watched you smile and rock with the music as you introduced me to selections. Days playing games of Strike Out on the walls of school grounds as we faced off in our epic World Series battles of your Brewers (Brew Crew) versus my Cubs (Cubbies) or games of one-on-one basketball as your beloved Milwaukee Bucks faced my Chicago Bulls. A bond forged by innumerable days of attending school together in the same class and playing during the hot summers on the playgrounds of Milwaukee and during the fridge Milwaukee winters as we attended open gyms at Marquette University or the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee or as teammates on our school teams. I had the privilege of visiting and staying with you and hanging out with you and some of your teammates at Western Michigan University. Going to Brewer games or attending Bucks games with some of the fellas such as Terry Warren, Larry Kilgore and Robert Laurie. You and the fellas, giggling like sheepish teenagers about girls and things teenage boys talk about. On one occasion, we laughed the entirety of a Bucks game while seated near a Bucks fan as he announced the play by play of the entirety of the game in a way that was cool to us. The fellas would laugh out loud at your imitating the announcing style of then Bucks announcer, hall of famer Eddie Doucette, all the while doing so with those sleepy smiling eyes and your easy grin, traits you inherited from your mom, whom we admired for how she carried herself with style, grace and class. Reflecting on these memories, I realize as the late music artist, Bobby Caldwell put it: "When I was young, I use to play...What I've got now I'd give it all away, just to have some fun. Playing in the park every afternoon, I've grown old, far too soon...Why can't I go there again? Take me back to then, when life was mellow, where we had golden sun. Take me back I said..." Like myself, I know the fellas will miss you, for sure your running buddies, Michael Shrank, Mike Katz, not to mention teammates Greg Dandridge, Myron Johnson and the others. "D" as your wonderful children, Mom, family members and a host of friends and love ones celebrate your life that was blessed and well lived, we bid you farewell. As it has been said, "Absent in the body means present with the Lord". The Taylor family extends our best regards, sincere thought's, prayers and condolences to your mom, your children and your family. May you rest peacefully in the loving embrace of Our God, Our Lord and Our Savior.

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Wow, where do I begin. I guess it all began a bit over 26 years ago when we found out we were pregnant with twins. While we were not together, we were forever connected by our babies. You and your family has and will forever be a part of my life. It pray that you were proud of the way that I have raised your babies and that although from a distance most times, they loved you. Until we meet again on the other side, I will keep a light lite for you for our children. Blessings!!

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First cousin Mother's sister son Ricky as we called him. Spent seven year with him until he his moving to Milwaukee. He always came home to Mrs. Ruby's house in College Homes. We excelled in basketball at Western Michigan and Knoxville College. Time spent together will never be forgotten. Love my cousin Big D. Named my first born Dedrick Elder due to missing Ricky in 70'. The years of 77 and 78 s at KC and UWM were great times. Thanks Elder-Patterson Family

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I have many, many positive memories of my friend, Dedrick from our days as classmates at Urban Day School in the early 1970's. On behalf of the entire Lurie family, I want to express my deepest condolences to his children and family. Most of my memories of Dedrick involved laughing as he was a humorous guy with a a beaming smile and easy laugh. We played basketball together and he was, of course, the star, but my best memories are of him as a friend. May Dedrick's life be an eternal blessing to all that knew and loved him and who were touched by his presence.

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First cousin Mother's sister son Ricky as we called him. Spent seven year until moving to Milwaukee. He always came home to Mrs Ruby's house in College Homes. We excelled in b ball at Western Michigan and Knoxville College. Time spent together will never be forgotten. Love my cousin Big D.Named my first born Derrick due to missing Ricky in 1980.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Unity Mortuary | Knoxville, TN