Roxie Lee Underwood

Roxie Lee Underwood, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2024 in Worthington, Ohio. Roxie was born on May 4, 1929 in Ijamsville, Maryland to I. Rayner and Pauline Montgomery. Roxie was married to John Underwood in 1955 and shared 63 years in a loving marriage. John predeceased Roxie in 2018.

Roxie was a selfless and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many throughout her life. A lifelong learner, she was a role model of service and commitment to family, friends and community. Roxie and John traveled extensively and visited all continents except Antarctica.

A 1950 graduate of the University of Maryland, Roxie continued her studies while teaching high school to earn her Master’s degree in 1955, the first in her family to graduate college. In addition to teaching and studying for her Master’s degree, she stepped up to lead her old 4-H club in Urbana, Maryland that had been inactive when the prior leader retired. She also taught the young adult Sunday School class at Calvary United Methodist Church in Frederick, Maryland where she met John who attended the class.

Roxie is survived by her four daughters, Ann Underwood (Ken Phares), Marilyn Underwood, Daphne Moehring (Boyd), and Joan Mast (Maurice). Also, five grandchildren, Hallie and Mallory Moehring, Klara and Isaak Underwood, and Lance Mast. Also surviving are sister Frances Cecil of Frederick MD, brother David Montgomery (Rebecca) of Ijamsville MD, sister-in-law’s Charlotte Montgomery of Ijamsville MD, and Ruth Friesenborg (Nelton) of Sun City West AZ. Her parents and in-laws preceded in death as did brothers James O Montgomery, John Wesley Montgomery, brother-in-law Donald Cecil.

Roxie and John moved several times in Maryland and Ohio before settling in Jackson where she quickly became involved in their daughter’s schools, church, as well as Girl Scout programming. For many years she was not only a Girl Scout leader but also the service unit director, trainer, and day camp director for the Jackson/Vinton/Gallia county area and served on the Seal of Ohio Council board for two terms. In 1975 Roxie received the Thanks Badge from the Council. Although never a Girl Scout herself, she joined Trefoil 1 as an adult and supported scouting with annual contributions and participation.

But 4-H was a love for Roxie who had fond memories of being part of the program and as a high school senior was selected as an “All Star” attendee of the National 4-H Leadership Convention in Chicago, IL. So, she made sure that her daughters were part of 4-H and inspired them to try many different types of projects and challenges.

Gardening and cooking was a love of Roxie’s and she and John tended huge gardens that yielded enough for the family and sharing with neighbors and friends. Eating fresh produce straight from the garden was a highlight of spending time with grandparents. Her grandchildren enjoyed their stays and proudly shared being served ice cream as a bed time snack – what! Roxie and John attended as many of the grandchildren’s school and outside activities as possible, including taking them on traveling adventures.

Roxie was a substitute teacher in the local school district and took the opportunity to do more schooling moving to full time teaching students with disabilities at Hope Haven school. She loved her time teaching daily living skills from 1980 to 1985. Before and after, she was a long-term sub for programs at the nearby multi-county vocational school. An extension of education work was Roxie’s service as trustee on the Jackson City Library Board for 25 years, most of them serving as secretary. Concurrently for 18 years, she served on the Ohio Valley Association of Libraries (OVAL) board.

Serving her community was important to Roxie. She and several friends initiated the city tree commission to improve the beauty and health of Jackson residents. She served on this commission for 22 years not just by attending meetings to share ideas, but actually trimming trees and treating them when needed. In November 2011, Roxie and John were awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for over 40 years of volunteer work in the community.

Roxie and John were early supporters of the American Cancer Society locally helping to start the office in Jackson Ohio. Roxie served as treasurer and fundraiser along with volunteering for all the activities of ACS. Roxie served as the District 15 Lay Trustee to the Ohio Division ACS Board. Improving the lives of others was always center to Roxie’s heart.

She was born and raised on the family farm in Ijamsville MD and the love for farming never left her. Roxie and John were active in the Jackson Farm Bureau serving as membership chair and council members. Many of their Farm Bureau friends were also church friends at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson where they were very involved in teaching Sunday school, tending the church’s landscaping needs. Roxie chaired the United Methodist Women group many years.

Roxie valued friendships and instilled that value in her family. She and her college friends met for long dinners at least annually for over 68 years. Roxie and John were diligent in preparing and sending a Christmas letter to over 100 family members and friends and loved receiving the same. She was a regular at the Frederick High School class of 1946 alumni gatherings throughout life. Family events held the same importance so attending family reunions was a priority. Roxie served as secretary for the Keilholtz Family Reunion for over 10 years. Roxie and daughter Joan spent several years researching the history of her Montgomery’s family roots culminating with the publication of the Genealogical History of the John Montgomery M.D. family starting with John’s immigration from Scotland in 1740.

A burial service will be in Frederick MD at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on June 4, 2024 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (www.gsoh.org) or Maryland 4-H Foundation (www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com) to continue her legacy of supporting youth development.