Deborah Lynn (White) Harrell

Deborah Lynn Harrell, 68 of Gautier, passed away November 20, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 23, 1954 in Elba, AL, the second of five children to Isaac Jesse "I.J." and Shirley Virginia (Maddox) White. She grew up in the Woodland Grove community in New Brockton, AL, on a small family farm. She enjoyed playing outside with her siblings and friends, and helping out in the garden. The family attended Woodland Grove Baptist Church where "Debby" was saved and baptized. She learned to sew from her mother, who worked in a sewing factory, and improved her skills through the years. Debby attended school in the Elba area, graduating from Elba High School with the Class of 1972. She later moved to Mississippi and eventually attended the Jackson County Campus of MS Gulf Coast Community College, where she earned her welding certification. With that, she landed a job at Ingall's in Pascagoula, spending over twenty years there. She is remembered as an outgoing and helping person her entire life. She always wanted to help anyone she saw, no matter what they were doing. Debby loved to cook and bake cakes, and had many "hobbies" that she devoted time to. From upholstery to woodworking and chalk painting, she was always busy doing something. But Debby had a vibrant sense of humor and was a pretty good practical joker as well, just like her father. Debby has pulled some really good ones through the years now. She once rented a limo, had a large check made, and convinced most everyone that she had won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. And if that wasn't enough, Debby had several fake lottery tickets made one year, giving them to her family as Christmas presents and causing them all to think they had actually won. You never knew what you were going to get with Debby. She is lovingly remembered as a wonderful sister who was always there for her siblings. Debby was a loving, devoted wife and great homemaker, always doing things for her home, canning vegetables, and so much more. A loving mother and grandmother, her many antics and love for her family will be sadly missed by all whose life she touched. Debby was preceded by her parents, I.J. and Shirley White, a brother-in-law, Dr. Bancroft Cooper, and her infant nephew, Isaac White. Left to cherish her memories are: her loving husband of thirty-three years, Rick; her children, daughter Wendy (Michael) Stogner of Perth, Austrailia, and her son, David (Deborah) Whitworth of Gulfport; her two sisters, Mary Cooper of Enterprise, AL and Sarah (David) Simmons of Gulfport, and two brothers, Dean (Teresa) White of Bella Vista, AR and Jeff (Donna) White, also of Enterprise; her aunt Vera Maddox Crozier of Hoopeston, IL, and a sister-like cousin, Sandra Furr of Pell City, AL. She leaves a legacy of five grandchildren: Gage, Camryn, Davon, Carson, and Madison, along with numerous extended family and friends through the years. Debby's final wishes were to be cremated, which her family is honoring. A memorial service will be held for her at a later date and afterward, Debby will be returned to to Woodland Grove Baptist Church Cemetery for interment with her parents. In lieu of any floral arrangements, the family requests that donations be made in Debby's honor to the Memorial Hospital Oncology Fund, which provides assistance to those with limited resources. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Harrell family in their time of need, and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.

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