Deborah Williams Friend

On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Deborah Williams Friend departed this life in Gainesville, VA. She was born on May 20, 1952 to the late Catherine and David Williams, Sr. in Richmond, Virginia. She was baptized at an early age at the Mount Olive Baptist Church, Richmond, VA. She was educated in the Richmond Public Schools graduating from Armstrong High School with the Class of 1969 and continued her education by receiving a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Strayer University. On February 28, 1971, she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Wesley Friend, Sr. and from that union they had one son, Robert “Robby” Friend and a daughter, Dawn Friend. Through Bob’s military opportunities, they were able to travel and live all over including Littleton, Massachusetts; Panama; Fort Carson, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; and Vint Hill Farm Station (Warrenton, VA)—finally relocating and settling in Midland, VA as home. Deborah worked in accounting for over 31 years in local firms. Before retiring, Deborah used her financial genius to run an accounting firm partnership, Small Business Enterprises, for over five years with her partner and best friend, Carole Ortmyer in Bealeton, VA. They handled all aspects of financial ventures from bookkeeping and corporate taxes to mentoring new businesses. The two women shared a twin passion for accounting and helping people! Her incredibly special gift from God was cooking…she could cook ANYTHING!!! When asked, her husband of over 49 years says her specialty was EVERYTHING! Her family adds in that NOBODY cooked macaroni and cheese like Deborah! Another favorite of the family was her amazing rum cake for the holidays! She also loved to line dance, to read (especially Stephen King), to buy beautiful clothes and to fish. Bob said, “she loved to fish “anywhere there was water and she baited her own hook”! She loved to travel—three trips she especially talked about were with her family to City Island, NY, Mexico Beach, FL and a Caribbean Capital JazzFest cruise. She loved her family and would do anything she could for them. Her family members referred to her as “a gentle soul” who never raised her voice but “said what she said and meant what she said, no questions asked, just do it”…they loved and respected her...so they did it! If something was going on in the family, you could always depend on Deborah and Bob to be there. She could always be found with Bob cooking on the grill or running the fish fryer with their beloved “Washington NFL team” aprons on—especially at their Roots Family Reunions! She was always ready to help! She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her fun spirit will remain with us forever in our memories and especially in our hearts. Deborah was preceded in death by two brothers, Alvin Jerome Roots and Victor “Boo-Boo” Roots, and two sisters, Luedora Roots and Jill Roots. She is survived by her very devoted husband, Robert Friend, Sr.; son, Robert Friend, Jr., daughter, Dawn Friend; mother-in-law, Sadie Friend; brothers, David Williams, Jr. (Creola), Carroll Roots (Angela) and Carlton A. Roots, Sr. (Angela); sisters-in-law, Janice West (Charles) and Diane Roots; brothers-in-law, James Friend, Jr. and Noel Friend (Gisele); host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Deborah will rest at March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond VA, for walk-through viewing on Wed., July 22, 2020 from 11am to 5pm. Services will be held at March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond VA on Thurs., July 23, 2020 with viewing at 9:00am until start of service at 10:00am. Family and friends attending services will assemble 9:30am at March Funeral Home. Interment Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, Amelia Courthouse VA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the UVA Health Cancer Center at https://giving.uvahealth.com/organization/cancer-center

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Deborah Williams Friend

May 20, 1952 - July 15, 2020