Roxie "Tootsie" L. Wakefield

Mrs. Roxie Lee (Laster) Wakefield was lovingly known as “Tootise” to her family and close friends. She was born on December 25, 1935, in Sumter County Georgia to Deacon Robert David "RD" Laster and Rosa Lee (Mansfield) Laster; she was the 5 of 11 children, and was named after her Paternal grandmother (Roxie Annie Leola Bessie Sheppary Laster). She was a resident in present-day Americus, Georgia on her father's farm, and she attended the public school system in Sumter County, Ward Chapel on the Hudson Place, and A.S. Staley High School Graduation in 1954.

Mrs. Roxie Lee (Lee) Wakefield was talented with multiple career choices, such as waitress at her sister's Café restaurant, and caning on her father's farm. At marriage, this drive continues. On December 25, 1954, the marriage between Franklin Ruben Wakefield and Roxie L. Wakefield took place on her father's farm thus starting a 61-year relationship. They relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, and reconnected with existing family members, and began to put down roots.

While searching for employment, Roxie and her husband Franklin joined The Greater Grant Memorial AME Church and she was a member of choir number two. Later their membership was moved to different congregations, such as The Sunday Morning Spiritual House of Prayer (Founding member), The Church of God of Prophecy, The Church of God by Faith, and involved in the community choir “Love Peace and Joy.” Her favorite scriptures were St. John 14, Psalms 23 and 27, 91 Hebrews 11:1, Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Matthew 13:31-32, and Matthew 17:20.

At the same time, there was career opportunity such as waitress at the restaurant on the corner of Kings Road and Myrtle Ave. Roxie and Franklin started a business, White Swan Barbeque Restaurant on Kings Road. She also had domestic duties at home and in the entrepreneur’s spirit performed a days working for clients like Mrs. Zuller, Mrs Dase, and Mrs. Zeller. She was also an employee in several doctor's offices, and continued this drive with the duty of a Tupperware salesperson.

One of her hobbies was baking, and during the holiday seasons between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Roxie could bake at least 125 cakes, 60 pies, and 12 dozen of cookies, and with the fruit purchase by her husband, Roxie finished the holiday season with Ambrosia.

Roxie is preceded in death by Rosa Lee (Mansfield) Laster, Oillie Mae Simpson, Jessie Mae Laster, Mary Ella Laster, Katherine Hamilton, Floria Mae Monts, Emma Hicks Robert David Laster, Arthur “Bighead” Laster Sr., Robert David (Alfred) Laster, Robert and Ethel Mansfield, Binnie and Naomi Thomas, (Americus, GA) Samuel Wakefield, Sr. (Jacksonville, FL), Herman Wakefield (Oakland, CA); Daisy (Martin) Luther King, Sr., Willie (Marilyn) Wakefield; Andrew Lovett (Jacksonville, FL).

She leaves to cherish her memories one son Ruben Franklin Wakefield (Tampa, FL); three daughters Lorea Ann Wakefield, Therese V. (Earnest Sr.) Wakefield-Gamble, Rose Mary Wakefield of Jacksonville FL.; 8 grandchildren Terika S. Wakefield, Torran C. Wakefield, Lucinda Jordan, Alicia Wakefield, Timothy J. Sanders Jr., Ernest (Kella) Gamble Jr., Tyrese (Alexis) Gamble, RaJah Brockington; 12 great-grandchildren Matthew Norman, Jeremiah Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Timothy Sanders III, Kaviah Thomas, Shanell Sanders, Serenity Sanders, Trinity Sanders, Ethan Gamble, SHYAnn Gamble, Xavier Gamble, Rainiah I. Schaedel (Brockington); 1 great-great grandchild, Indya Milan Norman; one sister, Mrs. Retha Dean (Lorenzo) Laster-Thomas; two brothers Mr. Frankie (Diane) Laster and Johnnie Laster (Americus, GA); three sisters-in-law Dorothy Shelton-Wakefield (Jacksonville, FL.) Mary E. Wakefield-Minion (Plain, GA.), and Bobbie Wakefield (Oakland, CA); Cousin Elizabeth “Liz” Laster (Jacksonville, FL) and neighbors Mrs. Dorothy Lovett, Vola Braxton, Shelley Morris, Mother Lillian Robinson.

A Special thank you to Frankie L. Laster, with a very special thank you to Johnny Laster, River City Nursing & Rehab Center, www.rivercityrehab.healthcare, and Community Hospice & Palliative Care.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32205, where a public visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, August 25th 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 26th, at the funeral home. A committal service will follow at Edgewood Cemetery 4519 Edgewood Drive, Jacksonville, Fl. 32219.

A livestream of the services Saturday may be viewed at one of the provided links: https://youtube.com/live/ABcT5KFoby0?feature=share

https://youtube.com/live/iALSeVloXds?feature=share

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Wakefield family.