Deborah Sherfield Billingsley

Deborah Sherfield Billingsley passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Deborah was born on December 3, 1956 to the late James Sherfield and Harriett B. Sherfield in Portsmouth, VA. She was the third of four children. Her siblings in order of birth were Barbara, James, and Arthur. Deborah was a devout Christian, attended Sunday School, served on the choir, and as a young teenager, became a member of Zion Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA.
Deborah attended I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA. Upon high school graduation in 1975, she attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Her classmates elected her Miss Political Science during her senior year.
After graduation from college, Deborah worked for the City of Chesapeake, VA. She met her husband of 43 years, Michael L. Billingsley, during a business trip to Denver, CO in 1980. In 1982, Deborah married Michael who was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA. In 1983, they transferred to Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, FL after months of training at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL and Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ. Deborah loved being stationed in Fort Walton Beach, FL and began working in the Public Affairs Office at Hurlburt Field where she edited articles for the base newspaper. In her personal time, she developed a love for producing ceramic artwork.
While at Eglin AFB, FL in 1987, they welcomed their first child, Michael Eric. In 1995, while stationed in Washington, DC, Deborah gave birth to their second child, Rachel Cornelia, at Fort Belvoir, VA.
Deborah moved with Michael to different military bases throughout his career, learning how to trust God through various experiences in her life. She set up homes in GA, FL, AZ, Italy, SC, Washington, DC, and NV. She was "Commander in Chief" of the home when Michael was stationed abroad in Seoul, South Korea. She loved to travel and explore the local area at each duty assignment and made many lifetime friends. She enjoyed cooking, dancing, flowers, and watching her favorite soap operas, All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital.
After settling in Dumfries, VA, she became a member of First Mount Zion Baptist Church. As a member of First Mount Zion Baptist Church, she worshipped the Lord and proudly watched her granddaughter, Olivia Christiana, sing in The Jewels Choir.
Of the professional roles she held in her career, her favorite position was working for the Defense Commissary Agency located at Quantico MCB, VA. She retired from the Defense Commissary Agency in 2021 after serving 11 years in the agency.
Deborah kept a book that listed all of her friends' and family members' birthdays. She was always so thoughtful of others and wanted them to know how much they were loved! Deborah was very festive and loved to decorate her home for each holiday. Easter and Christmas held a special place in her heart and were the highlight of the year for her.
Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, James and Harriett B. Sherfield, sister, Barbara J. Sherfield, brother, James Sherfield, Jr., and nephew, Donovan L. Sherfield. She is survived by her husband, Michael L. Billingsley, son, Michael E. Billingsley (Samatha), daughter, Rachel C. Billingsley and granddaughter, Olivia C. Billingsley all of Dumfries, VA. She is also survived by her brother, Arthur C. Sherfield (Judy) and nephew, Anthony J. Hill all of Odenton, MD. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Deborah A. Sherfield, nephews, James Sherfield, III, Brandon L. Sherfield, and grandnephew, Brandon L. Sherfield, II all of Norfolk, VA. Lastly, she is survived by a host of in-laws from NC, SC, AZ, and friends throughout the U.S.
Instead of flowers please send your donations to the National American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org in honor of Deborah's fight against ovarian cancer.
Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:5