Ramona Lee Smythers Friend, age, 84, of the Spring Valley Community, died on August 20, 2020, in Charlottesville, VA.  She was born on July 14, 1936, in Wytheville, VA to Henry Elbert Smythers (E. Lee) and Virginia Dare Williams Smythers (Stewart). She was the widow of Dr.  Basil Jackson Friend. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, niece and cousin. As an only child, she adopted her cousins, aunts and uncles as brothers and sisters who help nurture her development in those early years.  She was a successful student earning the honor of valedictorian in both her George Wythe High School Class and her college class at the Medical College of Virginia.  Not only was she a life-long educator who promoted education as the foundation to the future, she was a highly respected teacher at Wytheville Community College and at Grayson County Vocational School where she developed the Nursing Program.    She served several years in Hillsville Virginia at the Sara Lee Factory as the plant nurse. While she lived a life of dedicated service to others, her commitment to service was best displayed in her devotion to her church activities.  She was a Christian who studied her Bible everyday of her entire life. She attended the Wytheville Presbyterian Church in her childhood, and later served in the Galax Presbyterian and Sparta Presbyterian Churches.  She later joined the Ebenezer Methodist Church in the Spring Valley Community of Elk Creek.  She was always involved in the Church Choir working with the music programs.  As a talented pianist, she often used her gift in church worship.  She will long be remembered as an enthusiastic vacation bible school worker, Sunday School teacher and youth leader.  She loved being with the children and especially working with the crafts! While her church work was of great importance to her, she still made time to serve her community. She was a boy and girl scout leader and led many young folks on many an adventure.   As a volunteer, she found great joy in visiting nursing homes and local shut-ins offering a visit and a melody on the piano.  She loved to cook and found great joy in serving others.  This is nowhere more evident than her remembering birthdays of friends as well as family.  She placed a great emphasis on holidays -especially Christmas.  Her family and friends will always remember her love of Christmas music, Christmas decorations, and her Christmas entertaining!  Her fun-loving adventurous spirit and her sense of humor defined her as the supreme hostess.  She delighted in hosting  the family reunions, and the holiday celebrations with her husband and children at their beloved Spring Valley home, "Tooth Achers."

She was thoughtful, kind, considerate and always fought for the underdog and instilled her values in her children.  She believed in being humble and giving to those who were less fortunate. She did NOT want to be recognized when she helped other people- preferring instead to work quietly behind the scenes. She believed in education, hard work, manners, God, ethics, generosity of spirit, and love of self and others.

She was member of the Fries Woman's club and several other organizations that promoted and helped the community.

She had an adventurous spirit often leading her family on many memorable adventures; camping expeditions, cross country car excursions, beach trips, and visits to New York City.  She was always trying new things and wanting to see and experience different things.

She shared a love and passion of antique collecting with her husband.  She was instrumental in helping him establish his dental practice; first in Fries, Virginia and then to Independence.  She will be remembered for her kind and loving support to him in his final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.  She is survived by two children, Basil Jackson Friend II (Jack) and wife Annette Suarez of Chester VA and Virginia Lee Friend (Jenny)and husband Alberto Mena Chacon of Charlottesville VA; foster son, Harvey Sexton of Galax VA. She adored and was so proud of all of her grandchildren: Jasmine Mansfield, Jade Dihr, Creighton and Sierra Suarez Friend and Gisselle (Amy) Sexton.

When asked to describe their mother her children stated, "She was the least pretentious person we have ever known."

A private inurnment will take place in the Independence Cemetery and a public memorial service to honor this remarkable life will conducted on September 10, 2022, at 11:30 AM at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Elk Creek by Pastor Rickey Bedwell and Danny Boyer.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 -11:30 at the church prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. B.J. and Ramona Friend Scholarship Fund c/o Grayson County High School PO BOX 828 Independence, Virginia 24348 Att: Angel Halsey, The Ebenezer Church fund or a charity of the donor's choice.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is serving the Friend family.