Roxianna Lockhart Draper

Roxianna L. Draper was born in Louisville, KY on September 23, 1946. She was the

second of two children, of the late Geneva Turner Lockhart Hill and the late Robert

Clinton Lockhart. She attended Toney Elementary School, Toney, Alabama and

Council Training High School, Normal, Alabama.

Roxianna was united in marriage to her high school best friend, Otha L. Draper

and they were blessed with two male bundles of joy and pride: Gervase (Joanil) and

Marcus. She loved God deeply and she loved her two boys and extended that same love

to her nephew, LeWayne whom she loved deeply and helped raise him as her own son.

Roxianna, affectionately known as Roxie, Mom or Nana was a Smart and Brilliant,

Mathematician, Saturn Space Launch Technician, Aviation Air Traffic Controller,

Programmer, and Computer Science Engineer.

She was raised by, and the Granddaughter of, Bessie and Anthony Turner, Harvest, AL.

The Granddaughter of Annie and Robert Lockhart, Louisville. KY.

She was the Great Granddaughter of Mollie Millhouse Townsend, (a nurse, and child

of slave parents).

Her Great Grandfather was Robert (Peat) Lee Lockhart (a White Alabama Land

Owner/Farmer) and Great Grandmother Mary (Mattie) Lockhart; From: Ireland.

Roxianna L. Draper – Earned a Degree in Mathematics from Alabama A&M

University in Huntsville, AL. From her teenage years, Roxianna L. Draper – had a

keen interest in science and mathematics.

As a High School student Roxianna L. Draper graduated valedictorian of her class,

played basketball, ran track, and played drums in the school band. As a College

Student -She was hired as a NASA Intern at Redstone Arsenal Alabama, National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

After her College Graduation and NASA Internship, Roxianna L. Draper was hired to

work full-time for NASA. This job prompted her to master calculus and trigonometry so

she could understand the physics of space travel to send the First American Astronaut to

the Moon.

In 1967 – Roxianna L. Draper received a "Certificate of Participation" from NASA

to send an Astronaut to the moon. Her Certificate of Recognition was Signed by

Dr. Werner Von Braun – Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the

Chief Architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle, the superbooster that would propel

Americans to the Moon.

Shortly after – In 1969 President John F. Kennedy challenged America to send a man

to the Moon by the end of the decade. Mission accomplished.

As a youth, Roxianna L. Draper became interested in science and mathematics with

the possibilities of space exploration! She fulfilled her dream with work not only for

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center but her work at MACONIC'S AVIATION,

FAA air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircrafts, and

IBM the world's largest computer hardware and software company.

Roxianna L. Draper's Memory – cherished by her Husband of 58 years, Otha L.

Draper, two children, Gervase (Joanil) and Marcus; three siblings: Doris Gothard,

Larry Harris, Sr., and Jennifer Fountain; Sister-in-laws: the late Mattie Battle (late

Willie B.), Elsie Nance; Mary Peoples, and Hazel Pope (Jake).

Her legacy continues through her:

Four grandchildren: Terrance Jalen Escontrias/TJ, Gervase Philemon/Gerger II,

Donovan Alexander, Devin Xavier and Marcus Alan II.

Four great grandchildren: Gerardo Daniel Escontrias/Lalo, Jalen Xavier Escontrias,

Damian Jesus Escontrias, and Christopher James Escontrias/CJ.

Two Daughters-in-laws: Joanil Claudio-Draper (Gervase) and Mayelyn Ferreras

Draper (mother of Marcus Alan Draper II). She believed once a family member, always

a family member. She was the proud mother-in-law to Joanil and Mayelyn.

Her memory will be cherished by her dedicated Caretaker and Nurse, Pam who loved

her deeply, and by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who were touched by

her life and cherish her memory.

Roxie, the Beloved Sister of Doris, Larry and Jennifer, was a beautiful, smart, quiet, strong,

caring, generous, reliable, loyal and precious gift to the family and the world. Above all,

she was a modest woman of strength, courage and faith to have accomplished and given so

much to others throughout her life! A compassionate "Christian woman" who always loved

Jesus, Christmas and the joy of Gift-giving; looking for the positive in every situation.

Roxianna L. Draper – a Wife, a Mother, Grandmother, Great grandmother,

Sister, Cousin, Niece, Aunt, Friend, Female Mathematician, Saturn Space Launch

Technician, Aviation Air Traffic Controller and Computer Science Engineer –

She touched many lives and her life and her memory will be cherished!

"Therefore, you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart

will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." ~John 26:22 (NKJV)