Roxanne Victoria Forster

Roxanne Victoria Forster was born January 31, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, the second child/daughter of James & Jacqueline Owings. She passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Carrollton, Texas at the age of 80 years old.

She was raised in Baltimore, Maryland and attended public schools there. She graduated from Eastern High School, attended Morgan State University and earned her associates degree from Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch, TX. She went on to have her proudest career accomplishments from becoming a Paraprofessional counselor of “Primary Project”, a school-based prevention program targeting children in elementary schools to detect school adjustment difficulties in New York State. She also retired after 25 years with Neiman Marcus in the transportation then accounts payable department, respectively.

Roxanne always enjoyed music and had a love of singing. During her adolescent years, Roxanne was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship & Fellowship Community choir (where, unbeknownst to her, her future husband, Gregory Forster Sr., was also a member.) He confesses he joined the singing group not because he could sing but because she was in it. She continued to sing through the years with other chorale groups such as the Youth Choir of Ames Methodist Church, Eastern High School Chorus.

Roxanne was very active in her community and selflessly dedicated to improving the quality of life for so many. One of her highlighted achievements included co-founding the Professional Achievers for Community Excellence (PACE) organization in 1984. The PACE scholarship for African American High School seniors is still in existence.

Other achievements included serving as president of Toastmistress Club of Louisville, Kentucky, being an active member of the Panel of American Women (an organization comprised of women of various religions, ethnic backgrounds & races whose purpose, through presentations & discussions, was to increase awareness of prejudice, discrimination & racism), serving as President of the Welcome Wagon Club (Pittsford, NY), President of Friends & Neighbors Club (Pittsford, NY); Volunteer teacher aide, Black Caucus, NY, Superintendent of Sunday School-Hamilton Park United Methodist Church (Dallas, TX). Roxanne loved serving in ministry as a Disciple Bible Study Facilitator for Spiritual Growth for new members of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

She married Gregory Forster Sr., November 19, 1966, and remained devoted to him until her last breath. She cites marrying him as her proudest family moment along with the birth of her children, marriages of her children and then living to see grandchildren and even great grandchildren. She shared that her greatest joy was “Witnessing their spiritual growth, service to the community, success as parents & following their dreams!”

Roxanne is preceded in death by her loving parents, Jacqueline and James Owings.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Gregory Forster Sr., her four siblings, Cynthia Thomas, Irvin Owings (Grace), Juliette Ruffin, Wendell Owings; her three children: Lauren McKinney (Dwight), Jacqueline Clayton (Todd) and Gregory Forster Jr. (Donna), as well as seven grandchildren, William (Trey) Walls III, Aminah Walls, Thelma Forster, Gregory Forster III, Debo’rah Forster, Clay Clayton, Todd Clayton Jr.

Great Grandchildren include Avayah Walls Lee, Quincy Walls, and Raelyn Newman. And we were happy to share with Roxanne earlier this year, that she has four more great grandchildren (including twins) due May 2023.

She is also leaving a beloved host of extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

A visitation for Roxanne will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 South Interstate 35e, Carrollton, TX 75006. A memorial service will occur Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2:00pm at Rhoton Funeral Home.