Deborah Williams Friend

Deborah Williams Friend, 68, of Midland, VA, departed this life on July 15, 2020. Deborah was born on May 20, 1952 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Catherine and David Williams, Sr. Deborah spent her childhood in Richmond, VA. She was baptized at an early age at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church. She graduated from Armstrong High School, 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 Wesley Friend, Sr. and from that union they had a son, Robert 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, 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 son adds in that nobody cooked macaroni and cheese like his mom. Another favorite of the family was her amazing rum cake for the holidays! She also loved to line dance, read (especially Stephen King), travel, buy clothes and fish. Bob says, “she loved to fish anywhere there was water and she baited her own hook”! She loved her family and would do anything she could for them. 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! She will be truly missed… 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. A family visitation for Deborah’s Northern Virginia friends will be held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 7 to 9pm. On Wed., July 22, 2020, a limited walk-through viewing (due to covid-19 restrictions) will be held from 11am to 5pm at March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond VA. Homegoing service will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 10:00am with viewing held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place following the services at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Courthouse, VA 23002.

Deborah Williams Friend

May 20, 1952 - July 15, 2020