DEBORAH EILEEN FARRIS, Esq

December 29, 1950 - October 29, 2021

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Obituary For DEBORAH EILEEN FARRIS, Esq

Funeral Service will be conducted in Washington, DC Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ 4704 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, D.C.

Friday, November 12, 2021 11:00 a.m.

Funeral Home McGuire Funeral Services, Inc. 7400 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, D.C.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Debbie’s sister: Sheryl Ellison-Blue 7205 Glen Pine Street Glenn Dale, MD 20769

Deborah Eileen Ellison was born on December 29, 1950 in Williamsburg, Virginia to the late John M. Ellison, Jr., DDS and Ethel Crawford Ellison, Esq. In 1951, her parents relocated to Washington, D.C., where she grew up. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Delaware State University in 1972 and a Master’s Degree in Education from Antioch College in 1973. She taught English briefly at the D.C. Street Academy and later enrolled in Howard University’s School of Law where she graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1976.

In 1978 Deborah married James Randolph Farris, Jr., M.D. in Los Angeles, California. After two years in Los Angeles, Deborah and her husband, a native Texan, moved to Dallas, Texas and established professional practices in their respective fields. Deborah began her career in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where she developed her skills as a criminal appellate attorney. She later took those skills to the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office, where she helped to develop an appellate section.

Deborah gave birth to James Randolph Farris, III in 1984, finally realizing her dream of motherhood. The day of his birth was unquestionably the happiest day of her life.

In 1996 Deborah opened a private practice as a criminal appellate attorney. She was very successful in the practice, having several of her cases published in the Texas Bar Journal and winning release from prison for several of her clients who were unlawfully incarcerated. Her real passion, however, was her representation of patients with mental illnesses in the Dallas County Mental Illness Court. She represented those patients vigorously for many years and served as Judge in the Mental Illness Court on a number of occasions. She also served on State health and safety boards as an appointee of the Governor of Texas. Deborah was a member of the State Bar of Texas, National Bar Association, J.L. Turner Bar Association of Dallas, Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association.

In 1998, Deborah was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Even though she experienced progressive disease, she forged ahead with an indomitable spirit, continued her legal practice, social life and board activities and traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico with her husband and son. She never gave up.

Deborah loved her family, especially her son, James, whom she called daily “just to hear his voice.” Despite the responsibilities and pressures of a busy work and social life, she strove to ensure a solid foundational home environment. Socially, she held memberships in The Girl Friends, Inc. and Circle-Lets, Inc. and formerly served as National President of Carrousels, Inc.

Deborah is preceded in death by her parents, John M. Ellison, Jr., DDS and Ethel C. Ellison, Esq.

She is survived by her husband, James Randolph Farris, Jr., M.D.; son, James Randolph Farris, III, Esq.; sister, Sheryl Ellison-Blue, Esq. (David); brother, John M. Ellison, III (Anita); niece and nephews, a host of loving cousins and many friends.

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Condolences

  • November 12, 2021

    Sorry to hear the passing of your beloved wife to Randolph Ferris and the entire family may God give you strength at this hour sending my love and prayers to you all from Evangelist Debra Moore long time friend of Randolph Ferris Wichita Falls, Texas

  • November 11, 2021

    I will remember you always my dear friend. I know you are with the angels using the "heavenly rule book" to keep everything in order! Until we meet again...you will be missed.

  • November 09, 2021

    RIP dear fellow Techite! Nena Wright

  • November 08, 2021

    My deepest condolences to Randolph Farris and the entire family. My prayers to all during this difficult time.

  • November 06, 2021

    My sincere condolences to Deborah's family. I had the privilege of serving her as her hairstylist for about the last decade. She always treated me as her friend; we laughed and talked about everything. I will miss my counselor.

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