Deborah Laverne Anderson

Deborah Laverne Anderson was born in Texarkana, Texas on January 26, 1930. She was the daughter of Irene and Francis Joseph Smith. Deborah graduated from Chicot County Training School in Dermott, Arkansas and continued her education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, a historically black college. During her first marriage to Joseph Dockery, she welcomed her first daughter, Gertene (Dockery) Archibald. Deborah later relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts for better opportunities. 

On June 24, 1953, she married King David Anderson. They were married for 48 years until his death in 2001. From this union were born five children, Robin Anderson, Raymond Anderson, Tammy (Anderson) Pitts, Stacy Anderson, and Cheryl (Anderson) Lagay.

After becoming a licensed beautician, she co-owned Debbie's Beauty Salon with her sister Frances Pierce. Debbie's Beauty Salon was located on the corner of Concord Ave and Alpine Street in Cambridge, MA. Debbie's Beauty Salon faithfully served customers in the Cambridge community, and greater Boston area for 50 years. Debbie's Beauty Salon stood as one of several black neighborhood businesses in West Cambridge.

Deborah and her family relocated to Verona, NJ in 1974 where she was continued her career as a beautician and was an active member of the Israel Memorial A.M.E. Church in Newark, NJ. She was the Superintendent of the Sunday School and a Missionary.

In the 2001, she returned to Cambridge and rejoined St. Paul A.M.E. Church. She also rejoined her sister at Debbie's Beauty Salon until 2010 when she retired, with many of her customers having become lifelong friends. Deborah was ahead of her time as a woman of color and entrepreneur.

In addition to being an award-winning hairdresser. She was well known as the "hat lady" for her unique and varied collection to match any occasion. Deborah loved to cook and tell stories about her childhood in the South. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, smocking and needlepoint. She had a green thumb, loved plants of all kinds especially Crown of Thorns.

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