Roxanne Kelly

August 22, 1957 - February 19, 2015

Roxanne was born in Alexandria, Virginia on August 22, 1957, the oldest child of Mary and Leonard. She attended Alexandria City Public Schools for elementary and middle school, and T.C. Williams high school where she became forever known as “Foxy Roxy” for her beautiful afro and fabulous style.While in high school “Foxy”enjoyed socializing with friends.After graduating from T.C. Williams in 1976, “Foxy,”Mary, and Leonard, younger sister Bonji traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to drop her off at The Morris Brown College. While in college “Foxy” quickly became friends with Linda (God mother to her daughter Dominique), Gail, Marilyn, Benita, and Terry. They became life long friends and would take an annual girls trip to the Bahamas every winter. While in college “Foxy” was committed to learning all that she could about the education system, more importantly special education services. After college, she returned home to Alexandria, VA and immediately began giving tirelessly of herself to teens and children at Hopkins House. Here she mentored teens and hosted several life skills classes to help prepare them for the “big world” outside of Alexandria. She then decided that it was time to move into the public school system and began her tenure as a special educator working with elementary school children as a resource teacher. “Foxy” had a keen understanding of what students with special needs had to have and made sure that ALL people did what was best for “her” babies. Throughout her 20 year tenure as a teacher she devoted her time to educating students in Prince George’s County Public Schools and the District of Columbia Public and Charter Schools. She recently began working with high school students at Idea Public Charter School and worked diligently to ensure that all students were on track for college or their preferred career path. Whether it was explaining the importance of our African American history, healthy eating, reading habits, or purchasing clothing and supplies for students she treated them all as her own. She loved them and they loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Charles Kelly, two daughters, Dominique and Diana,one son, De’Angelo, two sisters, Bonji Payne and Kimberly Terrell , one brother, Leonard R. Turner, mother and father in-law Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kelly, three aunts,Margaret Caple, Yvonne Terrell and Brenda Preston, two uncles Pernell Caple and Carlton Preston, 4 sister in-laws, 1 brother in law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Remembering Roxanne In my mind, the best teachers are the ones who continue to learn, so that they can be the most effective classroom instructor and educational administrator. Roxanne was like that, even though she had been teaching for over 30 years, she never stopped attending seminars and workshops so she could stay abreast of trends and technologies to help educate youth. Nonetheless, she continued to educate herself because she knew that youth today are different and that it was important and necessary to keep current, and by having certifications in her field of education. Because Roxanne attended many classes, seminars and workshops, she definitely knew and understood the conventional way of educating youth. Most of the schools where she taught had a high population of inner-city youth. She understood them and knew that the conventional way of educating them did not work well for every student. Her mission was to educate, so she knew she had to have a different approach to reach them and it sometimes was not the conventional way. Roxanne would often say that just because the books say do it this way was not always the way to do it. “You must understand and know how inner-city youth think so that you can educate them. You must know where they come from and understand that some may not have slept the night before or had anything to eat,” she said. She learned early in her career that all youth would not learn using the traditional way because they came to school with problems you could not imagine. She knew for a fact that to be effective she had to find different approaches to catch their attention. Once she had their attention, Roxanne let them know that she understood them, respected them and "had their backs." After she captivated their attention, she started the education process. Her classroom children truly loved her. Very often Roxanne spent her own money to help support her classroom children. She would go shopping to buy shoes, clothes, food, supplies, etc. for them. It was hard for Roxanne to see children doing without so she felt impelled to help them. Because she would provide for her classroom children, sometimes her own children had to go without. Because she raised great children, they understood that their mother “was going to do what she had to do.” Nonetheless, her classroom children will really miss her. One thing that set Roxanne apart from everyone else was her witty sense of humor. She was so funny. That girl would have you crying and laughing at the same time. When you were with her it was nothing but laughing.Whenever Roxanne would go to different places, people would always say, “Please come back, we like you. We had a great time.” She was loved by all. When Roxanne was truly at peace, she was at the beach. She loved the beach. That was a place where she found total tranquility. As a matter of fact, she would go to the beach and find her spot at 8 a.m. in the morning and would not leave until late in the night. If you’re looking for Roxanne in Heaven, check the beach first. I’m sure you will find her sipping a cocktail and lying on the beach, just chillin’. Roxanne loved her family and friends. She would often host and entertain family and friends at her home. Any opportunity would do just to have dinner and spend time with family and friends. The family was recently blessed with “baby Karter,” whom she had many plans for . . . plans like baking cookies, going to restaurants, coloring, etc.Baby Karter will know who Roxanne Caple-Kelly was because she will live in our minds and hearts forever. Lovingly submitted by her dearest friend Linda Watts-Thomas