By CNW Reporter
(Source: CNW)
The Jamaican American community in South Florida is mourning the loss of respected matriarch and longtime community leader Eulalee “Mama Bax” Bax, who died on June 23, 2026, at the age of 95.
In a statement released by her family, Bax was remembered as a woman whose life was defined by faith, service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to her family and community.
“It is with profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Eulalee Bax,” the family said. “Mama Bax was a source of wisdom, strength, laughter, and steady love.”
According to the family, Bax was just over two months shy of her 96th birthday.
Known affectionately as “Mama Bax,” she was celebrated for her hospitality and community spirit. Family members said no one ever left her home hungry, describing her belief that sharing food was an expression of love.
A longtime resident and leader within South Florida’s Caribbean community, Bax devoted decades to supporting others through faith-based and community initiatives. Her family said she invested her time, wisdom, and resources into helping those around her, leaving a legacy that continues through the generations she mentored and inspired.
Bax was the mother of several prominent community figures, including Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, former state representative and former mayor Marlene Omphroy, Herbert Bax Sr., and Paulette Bailey.
She was also the grandmother of former state representative Anika Omphroy, Robert Omphroy Jr., Herbert Bax Jr., Christopher Bax, Varrol Bailey Jr., and Dion Bailey, and the great-grandmother of Zoe Omphroy, Callie Omphroy, Marissa Bax, and Sanai Omphroy.
The Bax family has long been recognized within South Florida’s Jamaican American and Caribbean American communities for its involvement in public service, community development, and civic leadership.
“Our family is heartbroken by this loss, but deeply grateful for her 95 years of life, love, wisdom, and service,” the family said.
Funeral and celebration-of-life arrangements have not yet been announced. The family said details will be shared at a later date.
Bax’s passing marks the end of a remarkable life that touched generations of Jamaican Americans in South Florida, many of whom regarded her not only as a family matriarch but also as a pillar of the wider Caribbean community.
