On the morning of January 13th, 2025 Rozann Channell Hemphill passed on at the Stansell House in Ocean Pines, Maryland. She left this world while holding the hands of her family just as the sun rose in a spectacular display of colors, reminiscent of her bold and singular style.

Rozann was born in Easton, MD the youngest of the four children of Natalie Gannon Channell and John Harold Channell. As a student at St. Peter and Paul in Easton, she was known by both her classmates and her teachers as a precocious and humorous child. In her final years she enjoyed reminiscing about stories of pranks her life long friends pulled on each other and the antics that her brothers Bill and Jack seemed to always get caught in. Her summers spent in Ocean City with her cousins and Mama Jean were some of her fondest memories, the smell of noxzema always brought on a story about those trips. The family Scrabble tournaments were sometimes vicious, but always a good time... Unless it was one of the rare times she lost.

Rozann had a flair for style even in her young adult years. One of her favorite stories was about challenging the dress code while working for the State of Maryland by wearing a trend setting white suit featuring hot pants and a blazer. In her young adult years, she was a bartender in a few of the more popular spots in Ocean City. She was always known for her witty comebacks and stylish ensembles; she ended up making more lifelong friendships around town and eventually meeting her future husband. Rozann was working at Taylor Bank when she and Donald got engaged. Instead of the traditional diamond ring, Rozann asked for a washer, dryer, and a color TV. In January of 1975 the couple were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea.

In the summer of 1982, they welcomed their first and only child, Natalie Elizabeth. Rozann continued her career in banking for over 20 years through many mergers and even after being robbed 3 times ( those stories were lively ones ). Her co-workers, some bank presidents, executives, and customers could always count on her infectious humor in any situation. Rozann joined the Bishopville volunteer fire department ladies auxiliary shortly after Donald had joined the fire department. She was an active member and a fixture at all of the functions and fundraisers, serving officer roles including multiple terms as President, and ultimately earning lifetime member status. The yearly fireman 's banquets were always the social event of the year, with many members commenting that her outfits and yearly roasting of local dignitaries were the highlights of the evenings. After her retirement, she enjoyed spending more time with her family and friends, traveling on cruises and a few trips to Vegas. Not one to ever remain still long, she enjoyed working part-time for a few years at Wawa. The friendships she made there lasted many years and she stayed in touch with her friends going to lunches where she served lots of laughs. In her final years she became a true animal lover, opening her home to many cats and doting on her "grandbabies", Natalie's dog's Bear and Jasmine.

Rozann was preceded in death by her mother Natalie, father John, step mother Patricia, brother Jack, mother and father in law, and many beloved brothers and sisters in law. She is survived by her sister Sherry Haddaway , her brothers Bill, Patrick, and Michael Channell, her husband Donald, her daughter Natalie, and a host of nieces and nephews, and a special mention must be made for those she loved and called her "other children", a title not lightly given to Jamie, Brian, Dorgel, Ernie, and Nish.

A funeral mass will be said at St. Mary's star of the Sea in Ocean City, Maryland at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23rd. There will be a short visitation prior to the service with family at 10:30. After the conclusion of the mass, friends and family are invited to celebrate her life and find comfort together at the Bishopville volunteer fire department where refreshments will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, Rozann's wishes were for donations to be made to Worcester county humane society, Community cats, or the Brandywine SPCA in Georgetown. These organizations all have helped her care for the stray and abandoned cats of St Martin's Neck, as well as rescuing her beloved "Bear-ly" after his escape and capture at the local elementary school.

A special thank you to Coastal Hospice for helping us care for Rozann in her final months, especially her nurse Geordie and the staff at the Macky and Pam Stansell house.

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