Donald Roach

Minister Donald Anthony Roach was the first child born to the late Mary Elizabeth Roach Murray on January 4, 1952 in Norfolk County, VA. Along with his mother, his grandmother Laura W. Roach shared the duties of raising him.

Donald attended Divine Baptist Church, accepted Christ, and was baptized at an early age. Later, he received his Ministry license at the age of seventeen under the leadership of the late Rev. John R. Briggs Sr. in Chesapeake, VA. He was educated in Chesapeake Public Schools where he played football and ran track. After graduating from Deep Creek High School in 1971 he attended Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA and majored in History and Theology.

Donald enjoyed reading the Word of God and preaching was his passion. He was a gentle-hearted man and loved a good laugh. He cherished spending time with his family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Iris Roach; sons Desmond Brooks (Tanesha), Madarral Williams (Cheneka); daughter Emesha Elliott; grandchildren Jahari, Jayden, and Jamir Williams; sisters Laura Roach, Mary Farrow; brother James Murray (Stacey); nieces Myra Roach, Shanon Farrow, Sharece Farrow, Renee Farrow, Lekesh Privott; nephew James W. Murray; great nieces Iesha Farrow, Iyona Grayson, Keyonna Grayson, and Kaliyah Privott; great nephews Ikarie Grayson and Kyzear Grayson; a host of family and friends, and a special cousin Rev. Dr. Robert Barnes Jr.

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