Andrea Roxie Graves

This is My Story Andrea meaning “warrior” or “courageous” was born the 3rd child to the late Luther Vick and Alice Harris on June 2, 1941, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At a very young age she and her siblings were welcomed into the hearts and home of foster parents, Samuel A. and Essie G. Hill, who provided them with a Christian upbringing. This pivotal time would help shape how she faced and overcame life’s obstacles. Roxie, as she was affectionately known, received her early education in the Marple School District and was a graduate of the Marple-Newtown Senior High School class of 1959. The following year she received certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Graduate Hospital School of Practical Nursing. She served in the field of nursing for over 30 years before being employed by Children and Youth Services until retirement. During that time, Roxie returned to higher learning and graduated from Immaculata College with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. Her Mama’s guidance and “No Quit” life lessons helped push Roxie and her siblings into achieving remarkable accomplishments. Roxie’s Christian experience began at the First Baptist Church of Marple under the leadership of the late Reverend Elijah Thompson. As a teenager she accepted the Lord and publicly professed her faith in Christ through baptism. She later joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania under the leadership of the late Reverend L. J. Freeman. Roxie then joined the fellowship of the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in 1968, under the leadership of the late Elder Lawrence P. West, and remained there until her passing. Roxie was appointed to the Mother’s Board by the late Mother Marie A. Harris and served faithfully on the Choir, the Usher Board, and the Kitchen Committee. A desire for a better understanding of God’s Word encouraged her to attend and graduate from the New Life Bible Institute of Philadelphia under the tutelage of the late Reverend Timothy E Ruffin. Lifelong relationships were developed and maintained with friends who soon became chosen family. Nothing in life gave Roxie more joy than being a mother to her daughters. Her greatest blessings, her grandchildren, called her “Mama”. She enjoyed teaching them to have fun doing the simple things in life and how to be happy on a budget. In 1995, Roxie authored “A Collection of Pigtails” a dedication to her girls and ones that look like them to encourage pride in their hair and to preserve the games, adventures, songs and rhymes of the past. Roxie had moxie. Her confident stride and determination helped garner the nickname, “Foxy Roxie”. If you know her, you know this was no ordinary stride but one of an overcomer. She loved to travel and was blessed to take trips throughout the United States as well as to the Bahamas, England, Bermuda, Jamaica, Mexico, and two trips to the continent of Africa where she visited countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana. Her other favorite pastimes included crossword puzzles and bingo, membership in the sisterhood groups of The Women of Wisdom and The Red Hats Society and lending a helping hand to her neighbors at Simpson Gardens and anyone else who needed her. Despite many health obstacles, Roxie was a walking testament of her faith in God and one of her favorite mottos, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” On February 16th, Roxie finished her course, and she finished in victory. “She fought a good fight. She finished her race. She kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 Roxie was preceded in death by her biological parents, Luther Vick and Alice Harris; her Daddy and Mama, Samuel and Essie Hill; her brother, R.L. Harris; sister, Geraldine Newsome and foster sister, Anna Jones. Cherished memories remain with her daughters, Karen Williams (Martino), Danielle Atkinson (George) and Vicki Persaud; seven grandchildren: Ariana Atkinson, Kevin Simpson, Jr., Dallas Williams, Martina Williams, Mika Atkinson, Andria Atkinson and Amar Evans; four great-grandchildren, Jacob Cotton, Kaci Simpson, Jordyn Williams and Christopher Kellam, Jr.; sister, Barbara Ann Jones, foster sisters, Cheryl Kennerly, Marie Kennerly, Bonnie Brown and Janice Caple; brother-in-law, Matthew Newsome; aunt, Delorus Johnson; god-daughters, Stephanie Armstrong, Sharo’n Crombie Smiley, Colleen Tyler, and Debbie Wilson; special friend, James “Jimi” Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Andrea Roxie Graves

June 2, 1941 - February 16, 2023