Shawn Joseph Farris

SHAWN JOSEPH FARRIS, (ANASTASYA “ANA” JESSICA FARRIS) of Quinton, VA, age 41, passed away unexpectedly as the result of an auto accident on November 1, 2023. Ana’s companion and love, Savannah Adkins-Reith also passed away on November 1. Ana (Shawn) was preceded in death by grandfathers, Sam Mauck and Carroll Davis, and an uncle, Doug Farris. Ana (Shawn) leaves a loving family including children, Hunter Farris of Virginia Beach, VA and Ember Sturniolo of Henrico, VA; parents, Mike and Marsha Farris of Toano, VA and Beverly and Joe Davis of Barhamsville, VA; brothers, Chris Farris of Toano, VA and Bryan Davis and wife, Brittany, of Powhatan, VA; grandparents, Hilda Hollinger and Mary Mauck of Toano, VA, Judy “Juju” Davis-Piggott of Newport News, VA, Ginny and Jim Stewart of Rye, CO; special friend Amber Curtis; and many other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140 at 3:00 pm on Friday, November 10, 2023 with a visitation with family preceding the service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or He She Ze & We. Born Shawn Joseph Farris to Mike Farris and Beverly Davis on September 2, 1982, he was a loving child, sibling, parent and companion. Throughout his life, he was extremely artistic, taking after his mother. Shawn was adept at so many styles and media. Expressions through art were a constant in his life. As a child and young teenager, Shawn played soccer and volleyball. He also participated in the Boy Scouts and took karate lessons. Shawn graduated New Kent High School in 2000. While at New Kent, he participated in soccer, forensics, Odyssey of the Mind, and One Act Play. After graduation, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University. With his analytical approach to problem-solving, he enjoyed going to local escape rooms over the years. In February 2002, Shawn enlisted in the US Army. He proudly served until 2008 and was a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was trained as Russian linguist and was stationed in Germany for several years. While deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Corporal Farris received the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service in the field of signal intelligence. As with so many veterans, the horrors of war stay with them—this was the case for Shawn as well, as he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After being honorably discharged, Shawn continued a career of service working as a government contractor in the DC area and later in Hampton Roads. Shawn was employed at Threat Tec as Project Manager, Gaming & Visualization Delivery. He earned a bachelor’s degree in game art and design, and a master’s degree in gaming. These college degrees played a great part in his work developing Army training programs. Shawn loved his family, especially his children—Hunter and Ember. Hunter was born in Germany in 2007, while Shawn was serving in the Army. Ember was adopted in 2021. At the age of 38, Shawn embraced a new vision in life and began a transition to become Anastasya Jessica Farris. She preferred to be called Ana. She volunteered in Richmond with the trans support organization He She Ze & We. While this transition was not publicized to all who knew her as Shawn, many of us still knew her as the person and soul we had always loved.

Shawn Joseph Farris

September 2, 1982 - November 1, 2023