Anna Thomas Deaver, passed into God’s loving arms on Nov. 18, 2021 at her home in Richmond. Anna was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jim and Celia Thomas; her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and James Williams; and her husband, Captain Henry C. “Dee” Deaver Jr. She is survived by her nephew, Warner D. (Charlotte) Williams of Newport News, and his daughter, Meggan Williams of Glen Allen; cousins, Emily Sherill (John Carol) Bohannon, Mary Kathryn Diggs, Janet (Ken) Parsons, Rebecca Enos, Sara Enos Brown and Margaret Steere, and special friends, Dianna Parker, Nellie Turpin, Kathryn Freeman, Joyce Clark and Gail McKinley. The family wishes to express their appreciation to her caregivers, VCU – House Calls and Hospice of Virginia.
Anna was born on the family’s homestead “Bar Neck” on the Mobjack Bay in Mathews County on Jan. 10, 1926. She and her sister, Margaret, grew up at “Bar Neck.” Everyone who visited there knew what a special place it was. When Anna graduated from high school, she left Mathews and went to the big city of Richmond to live at Miss Saddlewhite’s Boarding House and attended business school. Her first job was with National Cash Register (NCR) in downtown Richmond. It was while she was living at the boarding house that she met and fell in love with a handsome young man in uniform, Dee. They would eventually marry and travel the world together on land, air and sea. Anna was a very hard worker. In addition to working at NCR, she went on to work for several construction and architectural firms in Richmond. Anna belonged to First Baptist Church for over 50 years, and then she transferred her membership to St.
Paul United Methodist Church in Mathews. Anna belonged to the Chimborazo Woman’s Club, the Antique Club, and Areme Chapter No.17 Order of the Eastern Star where she had been a member for 77 years and served as secretary for over 40 years. Anna spent many hours visiting the sick, Eastern Star members and friends. So much that Dee asked her if she knew anyone that wasn’t sick or dying. Anna and Dee were good neighbors and hosted many parties at their home in Richmond and at “Bar Neck.” Anna cared very much for her neighbors and friends. Her visits were always welcomed.
The family received friends at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue, Richmond, on Monday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. There was a graveside service at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, in St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery, 5555 New Point Comfort Highway, Susan, Va. 23163, with the Rev. Dede Parrish conducting. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Paul Cemetery Association, c/o Eddie Pritchett, 1092 Lighthouse Road, Port Haywood, Va. 23138.
Anna really should have written a book, oh wait, she did, on the hearts and souls of all whose lives she touched. We were blessed by knowing her.