January 8, 1946 – April 30, 2023
Mr. Arnold Lee Friend, Sr., known as “Slim” to many, but affectionately known as PaPa by his grandchildren, of 1015 Dakar Drive, Petersburg, Virginia, entered eternal rest on Sunday morning, April 30, 2023, at Bon Secours Medical Center. He was born on January 8, 1946, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Arnold Friend, Sr. was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mrs. Zadie L. Mosley and stepfather, James Mosley; brother, Calvin Mosley; father-in-law, James Campbell, who he loved as his father, and mother-in-law, Mrs. Otelia Campbell. He was so proud to have a big family who took him in as a brother.
As a child, he joined AME Zion Methodist Church. Later in life, he attended Shiloh Baptist Church, but his most precious accomplishment was joining his son’s (Pastor Arnold L. Friend, Jr.) church (Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church) where the “old man” departed, and he became a new creature, becoming spirit-filled! He began serving as an usher for the Lord. He learned many trades, but his favorite was becoming a brick mason. Most of all, he adored spending quality time with family which included playing computer games and watching the soaps with his wife, playing Spades, and making his family laugh – Slim always had a way with words, which made us never have a dull moment!
Arnold leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted, whom he called his right-hand and best friend, Arlinda C. Friend; his loving children, Marty L. Friend (Keisha) of Richmond, Virginia; Arnold L. Friend, Jr. (Tonya) of Petersburg, Virginia; Andrea Johnson (Roy) of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Adrienne Friend of Petersburg, Virginia; beloved grandchildren, Tierra, Cherelle, Martiá, Brandon, Isaiah Sr., Kalia, Cameron, Roy III, Rikyra, and Kaiden; his precious great-grandchildren, Trinitee, Isaiah Jr., Brandon, Sincere, Rahyon, Zaire, Tristan, Masiah, Brayline, Cámour, and I’Zyana; his sisters, Sandra Mosley of Chesterfield, Virginia, Gail Crump (George) of Chesterfield, Virginia, and brother, Gary T. Mosley (Henrietta) of Fort Washington, Maryland; and a host of other relatives and friends too many to mention.
We wish to thank Aunt Micky (Sylvia Gayden) who he adopted as his aunt and loved dearly for all she did for him. Also left to cherish his memories are treasured and devoted friends, Mr. James Dugger, Mr. Kenny Taylor, Willie, and all his buddies on Dakar Drive.
Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Lamont A. Hobbs, Pastor, and Pastor Arnold L. Friend, Jr., eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.