Rachel Rosalee Roxbury

Rachel Rosalee Roxbury, was born December 11, 1925 to the late Samuel and Hattie (Stanford) Harmon in Fruitland, Md. She attended school at Fruitland and Salisbury elementary and Salisbury High School. She studied one year at Bowie State Teachers College. She was joined in holy matrimony to Carroll Henry Roxbury of Dames Quarter, MD. They raised their six children in the “home that her husband built for her”. It was in this home that she took her final breath and entered the arms of her God. Rachel was introduced to her late husband by her brother, Harding Harmon, as they were both military men. A farmer’s daughter, she raised chickens, pigs and had a vegetable garden that provided fresh and canned foods for the family. In her front yard, she took pride in her perineal flower beds and several rose bushes. Rachel worked most of her adult life as a seamstress at Lady Salisbury Sewing Factory (formerly Excelsior), Manhattan Shirt Factory and Blind Industries and Services of Maryland from which she retired in 1992. Her sewing skills were all self-taught. She started out with a peddle Singer and advanced to using a professional serger. Rachel knew how to alter patterns, using one pattern to make three different sized outfits for her little girls. She would make wedding dresses and other clothing for hard to fit people. She also made items for the home such as pillows, curtains, bedspreads, formal draperies and on to upholstering chairs. She made the Mt. Olive Church’s altar coverings that are still used for its communion services. On Saturday mornings, she worked as a domestic for Mrs. R. E. Powell and family. Affectionally called “Mom, Mimmie or Mom-mom-mom”, Rachel provided a welcoming home for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, family and friends during special occasions and holidays. She always had hot sweet potato biscuits and stewed muskrat when her brothers visited from the mid-west. She also opened her home to those who needed a place to stay. She enjoyed traveling on cruises and spending time visiting her older brothers and sisters both locally and across the US to Chicago, New York, Orlando, and the San Francisco/Oakland area. Rachel was a lifelong and active member of Mt. Olive Christian Fellowship (formerly Mt. Olive A.M.E.) where her maternal grandfather was a founding member. There, she, and her late husband instilled the love for God in their children. She served as a Deaconess, Mother of the Church, did recitations, served as an usher, prepared monthly communion, assisted with fellowship meals. Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll H. Roxbury; son, Ronald C. Roxbury; step-daughter, Jean Roxbury; daughter, Charlotte L. Mumford; three children in infancy, granddaughter, Nyssa D. Roxbury; grandson, Clifton O. Roxbury and great-granddaughter, Ayaha J. Guggenmos; her 13 brothers and sisters; and family friends Fred W. Wise, Sr. and Carroll V. Dashiell, Sr. Rachel is survived by sons Carroll C. Roxbury, Sr. (Shelly) and Timothy D. Roxbury (Peggy); daughters Gloria A. Wise and Rachel E. Roxbury; grandchildren: Lavon Roxbury, Cheryl W. Wallace (Keith), Cherie L. Mumford, Angela B. Mumford, Gerina G. Barkley, Kelly R. Marcellus (Charles), Carroll C. Roxbury, Jr, (Keisha), Craig S. Roxbury (Maria), Justin Roxbury, Tyler Roxbury (Mary Evelyn), Hope Guggenmos and Tiara Roxbury; step-grandsons Flamond “Chuck” D. Roxbury, Sr., Andre Roxbury, Angelo Roxbury, Eugene Roxbury and La Forrest Roxbury; 34 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren;17 great-great grandchildren and step-great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; family friends, Dr. Harry Quinton and Mr. Mark Savage; and her Mt. Olive Christian Fellowship Church family. Loving Submitted, The Family

Rachel Rosalee Roxbury

December 11, 1925 - October 23, 2020