Rachel Roosevelt Lanham

Rachel Roosevelt Lanham, 92, of Rice, VA, passed away on November 13, 2025 at Holly Manor Rehab and Nursing after a series of illnesses.

Rachel was born on April 29, 1933 in Five Forks, VA to the late Roscoe H. Routt and Jewel Maxwell Routt. She was married to, later divorced the late Richard ‘Dick’ Gray. They lived in Washington D.C., Falls Church, VA, and Sterling, VA. She remarried the late William ‘Bill’ Lanham. They resided in Leesburg, VA before moving to Rice, VA.

Rachel was preceded in death by sisters Reba Routt Warren, Ruby Bell Johnson, brothers Ray Routt, Roscoe R. Routt, and sisters-in-law Virginia Routt, Barbara Routt, and Joan Routt.

Rachel was one of ten siblings who grew on their Prince Edward County family farm raising tobacco, corn, and livestock. Rachel completed High School in Farmville, and worked at a local shoe factory before marrying. She worked as a bank clerk throughout her marriage to Dick. Later when she married Bill, together they collected and sold antiques. Rachel recalled her years returning to live near her birth home and reestablishing ties with her large family as very happy and fulfilling ones. Roscoe, her father lived to be 101 years old.

Rachel enjoyed helping family and neighbors, gardening, particularly flowers and trees, collecting antiques, art, sewing and quilting by hand stitching, and an occasional beach trip.

She is survived by daughter Patricia (Gray) Frontiero of Richmond, VA, granddaughters Virginia Frontiero and spouse Avery Liberman of Florence, MA, Anna Frontiero and partner Joel Coburn of Holyoke, MA, great grandson Ari Gray Liberman, sisters Roberta Shaw of Salem ,VA and Rose Johnson of Glendale, AZ, brothers Ryland Routt of Amherst, VA, Roosevelt ‘Bobby’ Routt and wife Susan of Casa Grande, AZ, and Ruben ‘Toby’ Routt and wife Brenda of Paris, KY, niece Suzanne Johnson Folkes and husband Graham Folkes, many other nieces and nephews.

A public viewing will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, VA, followed by a graveside service at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice, VA.

A Memorial Gift may be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Association to honor Rachel.