Deborah Neomi Blackwell

DEBORAH N. BLACKWELL STAUNTON, VA… God has you in His keeping, I have you in my Heart. Deborah Neomi Blackwell, 61, of 80 Glover Circle, Staunton, went with the Angels to be with Jesus on Friday, September 1, 2017, at her home. She was born October 14, 1955, the youngest daughter of the late Floyd B. and Eunice Botkin Blackwell. Debbie had not enjoyed good health for some time, but retained her love of life, surviving six major surgeries in recent years. She had a deep love of family, an unfaltering faith and a special relationship with Jesus. She was a member of Pleasant View Lutheran Church. Debbie enjoyed crafts, coloring, and spending time with her companions, dog Baxter, and parrots, Dixiecup and Skittles. She never met a stranger, and had a heart as big as her smile. She counted among her many friends her church family, all the C. M. Brown family, including Liz and Mike Little, Buck, Gary, Lester, and Tom Brown, and Dot Hall, fellow clients from Special Olympics and the Daily Living Center, and from her former workplace, Pizza Hut. Her friends, Carolyn Bishop and Marcy Parlett were among those who gave her special love and attention during her frequent nursing home stays. Her “special angels” were surgeon, Dr. Kristin Turza, and hospice nurses, Amy Eye and Jody Warwick, as well as her other aides. She enjoyed a close relationship with Bonnie and Greg Sheffield, Gaytha and Kyter Roby, Gail and Bob Johnson, Fonda and Jerry Redifer, Debbie and Harold Argenbright, Rosemary Spell, Susan St. Clair, Toni Montgomery, D. K. Wills, Brenda Early, Peter Perez, and daughter, Jessica, Joannie Kramer, and Jim and Linda Percell. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Brenda B. Miller, and brothers-in-law, Thomas R. Miller and John T. Summers, Jr. Surviving are two sisters, caretaker and advocate, Catherine Summers, with whom she made her home, and Davie and husband, Darell Leach; nephew, Blake Brown; niece, Lisa Root; grandnephews, Regan Brown and Logan Root; his daughter, Kassidy; grandnieces, Kailee Root, Catherine Brown, and MacKenzie O’Neill; her son, Jaxon; and numerous cousins. A service celebrating her life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Pleasant View Lutheran Church by Pastor Mark Briehl and Assistant Minister, Jim Sheets. Interment will follow at Augusta Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Buck, Gary, and Lester Brown, Mike Little, Darell Leach, Blake Brown, Logan Root, and Bob Johnson. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in the Henry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Shenandoah, c/o Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939, or to the Pleasant View Lutheran Church Outreach Program, 2733 Springhill Road, Staunton, VA 24401.