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)