Deborah Echols

orah was born on November 4 , 1953, to the late Robert Echols, Sr. & Mrs. Dorothy Echols in Thomasville, GA. Deborah attended Susie H. DunlapElementary School, Douglas MiddleSchool, and Douglas High School. She transterred to Thomasville High School as a member of thefirst integrated class and graduated in 1971. Deborah loved music and her granny treated her to piano lessons briefly as she preferred to pick out certain tunes from popular songs. She did learn how to play the clarinet and joined theDouglas High School Marching band and concert band. After high school, Deborah attended Massey Business College and earned a degree in Automation Accounting in Jacksonville, Florida. Shem o v e d to Atlanta, GA where she worked for several companies showing her customer service skills and attention to detail. Deborahjoined New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist church at an early age and participated in the junior choir, Sunday school, vacation bible school and junior missions. She had a beautiful soprano voice and later Deborah would join New Birth Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in choirs and was part of the albumrecordings. She loved traveling with the choirt o Baltimore, Maryland and volunteering in feeding the homeless. Deborah also served as a DeKalbCounty voter poll worker for several years. Deborah's hobbies are handicrafts, jewelry making and cake baking. There were cakesheavily laden with rich Irish butter or some other ingredient that ended up in the kitchentrash can because it wasn't to her satisfaction. She loved tolaugh. Sheloved to tease her family and triends with her wry wit. She loved old movies, westerns, history, andunsolved mysteries. Deborah was always alover of animals since early childhood.Sheowned ahost ofpets including cats and dogs. Deborah spent her latter years supporting and encouraging familymembers and friends. Althoughfighting cancer she helped plan family gatherings, made favoritefoods, and took orders for the monthly birthday honorees. Christmas and Thanksgiving were favorite holidays,and she would bake several cakes for family enjoyment. During her last years, while going through her own illness and treatments, Deborah also helped care for her mother and often accompanied mom and Pearlie on road trips to Thomasville for home visitsuntil consideration for her health and immunesystem became of concern. Deborah was proceeded in death by her father, Robert Echols, Sr., her sister, Jacqueline E.Riley and uncle Elijah Richardson. Those that are left to mourn her passing areher mother,Dorothy Echols. Her beloved dog, beloved Bella. Her remaining siblings Robert Echols, Jr., Pearlie Echols Riley, William Echols (Sylvia), Cheryl Echols and sister-in-Christ, Portia McQueen. Brother-in-law, Wille Riley Jackie) and Elijah Riley (Deborah). She is also survived by lovingnieces and nephews: Farrah D. Riley, Shanta Jenkins Knight, Brandon Riley (Jennifer), Brian Riley, Darius Jenkins, Dayveon Knight, Malaysia Knight, Darryl Hughes (Sherrie), Jada Hughesand Jasmin Hughes. Cousins: Betty Hamilton, Gwen Hill &Valgene Hill, Jessie Richardson and Cassandra "Joyce" Richardson Baugh. The Coleman family/cousins and extended family, countless friends, and associates.

Tributes

Deborah Echols

November 4, 1953 - October 10, 2023