Mrs. Debra A. Rasheed

On March 28, 1953, Debra Sycelia Pitts, was delivered at Orange Memorial Hospital in Winter Park, FL. She was the youngest of four children born to Ethel Pitts and Attaway Ward. Debra had two brothers Norman and Attaway as well as an older sister Vera. All of Debra’s siblings were much older than her with the eldest being 18 years older. Her older sister Vera, who was 16 years older played a huge role in raising both Debra and her brother Attaway. Even though these were her siblings, they also felt to her like her children as well. Debra grew up in a close knit southern Christian family. Her family went to church together regularly, where they were all members at Bethel Baptist Church under Reverend Leroy H. Hendrix, of Winter Park, Fl. This is also where Debra accepted the Lord into her life and was consequently Baptized as a Child. Because Debra was partially raised by her sister, Vera, her niece and nephews felt more like siblings. They were also some of her closest family and friends. Debra was very friendly and loving. She rarely ever met a stranger as she spoke to everyone and was friendly to all. She had very close friends, many of whom would become lifelong friends. As a youth, Debra enjoyed art as well as sewing. She learned to sew so well that she would make all of her own clothes as a teenager. Once Debra turned 18 and graduated from High School she decided to spread her proverbial wings and moved to San Francisco with her older brother Norman, where she had planned to attend Art College. Little did she know that her plans to be an artist would change and she would venture into other areas. Initially, she worked in a library and became trained as a librarian. A few years later, through her spiritual walk she met and married the man who fathered her three (3) children: Edward, Grace and Nadiyah (Breenie). As a young wife and mother, Debra was very hands on. She ran a day care where she taught, influenced and shaped young minds. Years later she would broaden her horizons by going to school for business accounting. She practiced in that field for quite some time. Years later she moved back home to Florida with her children. While there, she was surrounded by a close- knit family, whom she went to church with, worked with and celebrated holidays as well as life with. After about 8 years she moved back to San Francisco with her family. Debra loved and cherished her relationships with her family and friends. She adored her grandchildren and would go to any length for them. She lived in San Francisco for many years where she performed Residential In-home Health Support for 15 years. After Medically retiring, she went back to school for Medical Billing and Coding. The Day of Her Graduation one her grandchildren was born. Instead of going to work in her new field, she took on the task of watching her youngest granddaughter. Later she moved to the East Bay where she also found a new church home, Greater Cooper AME Zion and met new friends who became family. Throughout her life, Debra lived on both the east as well as west coasts and encountered many different people, making many friends. She was a kind, generous and loving woman always willing to share with others even when she didn’t have anything to give. She loved and cared for many. She got joy out of making things for people. She would alter and sew clothes as well as prepare baked goods for her family, friends and neighbors. Debra fought Cancer for 5 years before the Lord called her home Thursday, September 14, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents Ethel Pitts and Attaway Ward Sr. and her brother Attaway Pitts Jr. She leaves to mourn her loss her Children, Edward, Grace and Breenie; her grandchildren Isaiah, Davidion, Brittany, AhSante and Miles; siblings Vera and Norman, as well as a host of cousins/family and friends.

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Mrs. Debra A. Rasheed

March 28, 1953 - September 14, 2017