James B. FRIEND Jr.

FRIEND, James B. Jr., 73, of Chesterfield County, a master brick mason and educator, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Drewery Friend; his father, James B. Friend Sr.; his brothers, LeCogbill Elijah Friend and Louis Timothy Friend; his sister, Brenda Friend Briggs; his son, Seaman Recruit James Briggs Friend III; and grandsons, Ronald James "R.J." Huggins and John Drewery "J.D." Huggins. "Jimmy" was the oldest of four children. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined First Baptist church, Centralia, where he served as a Deacon for many years prior to his passing. He received his formal education in Chesterfield County Public Schools, graduating in 1954 from Carver High School. At Virginia State College (now University), he met his beloved Peggy, established lifelong friendships, including devoted friend, Dr. Norris Johnson, and pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959. He returned to Virginia State to receive his Master of Education degree in Industrial Education in 1974. He taught for many years at Providence Junior High School before joining the faculty of Chesterfield Technical Center, where he taught Masonry until his retirement. Jimmy also founded F&F Construction Co., and has left his legacy in the form of beautiful, masterfully crafted brickwork throughout Virginia. He also established Mid-Virginia Christmas Tree Co. in the late 1970's and for many years sold fresh, high-quality Christmas trees from all over the East Coast to a regular Richmond clientele. A devoted Christian, Jimmy's faith sustained him throughout his life. As a member of First Baptist, he served on the Deacon Board and as a member of the History Committee. When Historic First Baptist was destroyed by fire, Jimmy worked with Rev. Shannon and the men of the church to rebuild and restore it to its past condition. His faith sustained him through the difficulties of life, including the loss of his wife, his son, his father, and three siblings, and two grandsons. Jimmy loved his family, and never missed an opportunity to tell everyone he met how proud he was of "his girls". He loved fishing, old westerns, fish frys in the backyard, and family history. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Louise P. Friend; his daughters, Lisa Friend Waddell, M.D. (Cedric), Kimberly Friend Smith, Esq. (Douglas), Carla Friend Huggins, DPT (Ronald); six grandchildren, Donovan Waddell, Nicholas Waddell, Michaela Smith, Kellye Smith, Jonathan Huggins and Geoffrey Huggins; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a host of devoted friends and neighbors. Remains rest at Mimms Funeral Home, 19th and Hull Streets. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26, 2009 at 12 noon at First Baptist Church, Centralia, 2920 Kingsdale Road, Richmond, Va. Interment at Sunset Memorial Park, Chester, Va. An Omega Psi Phi Memorial (Continued)
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.