Dedra was educated in Norfolk Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. In addition, she attended Tidewater Community College and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree from Tidewater Tech.

Dedra was skillful and thrived in a variety of industry areas. Her career spanned from warehouse shipping and receiving as a certified forklift operator and hazardous chemical control and fire safety officer to working with differently abled youth helping them to successfully integrate in the community. Moreover, Dedra flourished as a highly competent and compassionate caregiver and nursing professional. Prior to her illness, she served as a Private Duty Pediatric Nurse for medically complex children.

Dedra easily emerged as the champion of family where familial bonding was the very center of her life and the top of her priorities even fostering and bridging relationships beyond blood kinship. Both family and friends were recipients of her love and benefactors of her resilience and strength.

Dedra is predeceased by her bonus father who raised her, Ernest Anthony, Sr. and her infant son, Rashad Antoine Michael Morris. Dedra leaves to cherish her memories, two daughters Kimberly Morris and Kionna Morris; mother, Doris Anthony; sister, Bonita Anthony; brother, Steven Anthony; granddaughter, Kayla Morris; and a host of bonus sisters, Cassandra Butler (Berdeen), Barbara Todd, Yvonne Anthony Matlock, Michelle Anthony Wright (Joseph), and Nellie Waters; a bonus brother, Ernest “Dudley” Anthony, Jr.; and other extended family as well as aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and special friends.