Coggie H. Ashby

Coggie Hubert Ashby was born in Camden, NJ to the late Gwendolyn Fleming and Earl Mitchell on January 25th, 1942. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 4th, 2025, peacefully at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware. 

Coggie was educated in the Camden City School System. At an early age, He developed a fondness for horses at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, PA where he was introduced to their care. He took his affection and knowledge of the Garden State Racetrack in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he became a traveling stableman. With a passion for cooking, he advanced his career and traveled extensively with the racetrack as a cook. Coggie was well known for his talent in the kitchen and started a catering business in Wilmington, Delaware with his friend, the late Roland Johnson. He was gainfully employed as a cook at the State of Delaware, Emily P. Bissell Hospital, where he dedicated many years of service until his retirement.

Love was in the air at the Racetrack when he met, Frances, nee Evans. They united in Holy Matrimony in 1968 and shared a passion for entertaining with great food in their stylish Delaware home. Coggie was a faithful member of New Calvery Baptist Church until faced with health challenges. Over the years, Coggie has persevered and rehabilitated through several medical conditions and always kept a great spirit.

He will be remembered for his love for cooking, conversations, Philadelphia Eagles football team, and his ‘Paul Mason.’

Coggie passed from labor to reward, joining in eternal life, his parents, Gwendolyn Fleming and Earl Mitchell; second parents, Mary and Major Ashby; wife, Frances; daughter, Debra Brown; sisters, Marjorie E. Foster and Mamie “Diane” Hubbard; Brothers, George R. Warren and Dennis A. Warren; and Brother-in-laws Curtis Wright and Norman Hubbard.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Lamont “Butchie” Lewis of Frederick, MD; his sister, Renda Warren-Wright and brother Keith Warren, both of Harrisburg, PA; sister-in-law Deanna Richardson of New Castle DE; daughter-in-law Angelicia Lewis of Frederick MD; five grandchildren, Damaris Reyes of Amsterdam, NJ, Niasha “Nikki” Hawkes of New Castle DE, Aniya, Breylon and Breonna Lewis all of Frederick MD; nephew and caretaker, Junious “Tye” Coles of Camden NJ; and special friend and caretaker, Curtis Cornish of Wilmington DE. 

Coggie will be missed by his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.