Rita Cecilia Briscoe-Marshall

riTa cecilia BriScoe MarShall was the daughter of the late Ignatius Briscoe and Olivia Woodland Briscoe. One brother, Joseph Briscoe, who preceded her in death. She was born February 7, 1928 in Baltimore, MD. She departed her life on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Sinai Hospital. Rita received her early education at St. Peter Claver and graduated from St. Frances Academy. Soon afterwards, she began working full time at Keswick Nursing Home, as a Nurse's Aide. They would send her to school for additional courses in nursing. Later she attended BCCC for more training. Rita became a Nurse's Assistant. With a strong work ethic, Rita worked there for 33 years and retired in 1980. Rita was raised in the Catholic Church. Giving her life to Jesus Christ, she fervently and compassionately served her Lord and her church. Even with her ailments, she would travel by the MTA mobility to St. Jude, downtown, every Wednesday for mass. Watching the 7:00 p.m. Mass on the Bible Channel every night (you could not get a conversation from her during that time), and was a member of many church ministries at St. Peter Claver throughout the years. Rita married Robert W. Marshall, the love of her life on June 29, 1968. They loved to travel and go dancing. He preceded her in death in March, 1982. Rita was devoted to her family and many friends, and was called a "second mom" to-many. With friends, she participated in a social club, "The Chatter Chicks" that continued for more than 40 years. Another group was her St. Frances Alumni, which met once a month and they gave yearly trips to Atlantic City. With her family, she enjoyed family dinners; birthday celebrations,Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations and The Marshall Family Reunions. She also loved to travel. In an interview (2009), she was quoted to say "I continue to keep going so I don't have to think about my illness, I refuse to lie down and give in to my health", "and I am blessed". Rita loved dancing and doing the "Electric Slide". Rita was also known for baking her delicious chocolate layer cakes. The Young and the Restless and the Bold and the Beautiful were her stories that she would not allow you to interrupt. Rita leaves to cherish her life: her sons, Henry G. Scales and Michael A. Watson; four sisters-in-law, lnez Stokes, Helen Marshall, Phyllis Marshall, Jean Marshall and brother-in-law, Leon Marshall; two daughters in-law, Darnella Scales and Carleen Talley-Watson; four grandchildren, Veronica Thomas, Mortrice Scales, Belinda Scales and Michael Watson, Jr.; six great-grandchildren, (Stephanie Mends/Cole, who preceded her in death, December 31, 2008) Kevin Thomas, Jr., Desmond Thomas, Stephon Scales, Jenard Jackson, Stacy Alston and Reynard Robinson; and great-great-grandchild Kevin Thomas, Ill; two step-grandchildren, Carleethea Wilkes and Chester Talley; special godchildren, Jeannette L. Hall, Dorothy M. Taylor, Walter M. Matthews, Sandra P. Fowlks, Robert Matthews and Renee T. Matthews; and host of nieces and nephews, devoted neighborhood and many close caring friends at St. Peter Claver Church.

Tributes

Rita Cecilia Briscoe-Marshall

February 7, 1928 - June 25, 2014