Deborah Ann Roane

Life’s Legacy Some lives are marked not by how loudly they are lived, but by how deeply they are felt. Deborah Ann Roane lived a life that radiated strength, truth, and love. She carried herself with quiet authority, loved with sincerity, and left an imprint that will endure for generations. Deborah’s life was rooted in love, service, faith, and family, and every chapter of her story reflects a woman who stood firmly in who she was and gave fully to those she loved. From her earliest years, Deborah possessed a strength of spirit that was evident to those around her. She was observant, inquisitive, and keenly aware of the world unfolding before her. Even in childhood, she demonstrated a sense of responsibility and resilience that would shape the woman she became. Deborah was raised with strong values and deep family bonds, which instilled in her an understanding of loyalty, perseverance, and the importance of standing in truth. Deborah was a proud graduate of Armstrong High School and a product of the Richmond Public School System. Education mattered to her because it represented independence, self-determination, and growth. She continued her studies at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia, carrying forward the discipline and determination that defined her character. Answering a call to service, Deborah proudly served her country as a faithful member of the United States Army Reserves from 1978 until her discharge in 1996. Her military service shaped her profoundly. It strengthened her discipline, sharpened her sense of responsibility, and reinforced her belief in accountability and structure. These values extended far beyond her years of service and influenced every role she held throughout her life. Professionally, Deborah worked as a Data Entry Specialist with the City of Richmond and later served as an Intake Specialist for several physician offices throughout the City of Richmond. In every position, she was known for her reliability, precision, and attention to detail. Deborah approached her work with integrity and care, believing that excellence was demonstrated through consistency and effort rather than recognition. Faith was a steady anchor throughout Deborah’s life. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age and remained grounded in her faith through every season. Deborah was a devoted member of God’s Miracle Church, where her faith guided her actions, strengthened her resolve, and sustained her through life’s challenges. Her spirituality was evident not only in words but in how she lived, loved, and endured. Deborah found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She enjoyed coloring, watching classic Disney movies, and playing Jim Rummy. She was inquisitive and genuinely funny, with a sharp wit and a personality that could not be ignored. Deborah was direct and honest, often stern, but she loved harder than most. Her care was protective, her generosity sincere, and her willingness to help others unwavering. She gave freely of herself, often quietly and without expectation of acknowledgment. Deborah was preceded in death by her mother, Rita M. Winston; her father, Forrest J. Dowden Jr.; her brother, William H. Winston Sr.; and her nephew, William H. Winston Jr. Their memory remained close to her heart and continued to shape her strength and compassion throughout her life. Deborah’s greatest devotion was her family. She is survived by her loving children, her daughter ReShonda Jones (Michael), her son Floyd Johnson, and Ashadia. She was a devoted mother whose love was fierce, steadfast, and enduring. Deborah leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Michael Jones Jr., Mikenzie Jones, and Kalayli Johnson, whom she was eagerly awaiting to meet, along with her bonus grandchildren, Karma Clarke and Michael Walton Jr. Her love for her grandchildren was filled with hope, tenderness, and anticipation for the lives they would lead. She is also survived by her seven siblings, Darryl Winston and wife Demetria, Taras Winston, Randy Dowden, Forrest Dowden III, Forrell Dowden, Freisha Robinson and husband Kenneth, and Rauiesha Lewis and husband Marcus. Deborah shared deep and lasting bonds with her siblings, rooted in shared history, loyalty, and family connection. Deborah leaves behind fifteen nieces and nephews, a host of great nieces and great nephews, her devoted aunts, Virginia T. Roane and Rosalie Robinson, and two especially cherished nephews, Andrew Morton and Jerel Morton (Kristen), who held a deeply meaningful place in her life. Deborah was a guide, a protector, and a steady source of wisdom and strength. Deborah Ann Roane was strong, real, loving, inquisitive, and undeniably funny. She loved deeply, spoke honestly, and lived authentically. Her life was a reflection of faith, resilience, discipline, and unwavering devotion to family. Though she is no longer physically present, Deborah’s spirit lives on through the lives she shaped, the lessons she taught, and the love she leaves behind. Deborah Ann Roane was deeply loved, profoundly missed, and will forever be remembered.

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Deborah Ann Roane

July 28, 1957 - December 6, 2025