Debra Levy
Debra Levy
Debra Levy
Debra Levy
Debra Levy
Debra Levy

Obituary of Debra Ann Levy

On Thursday, February 11, 2021, Debra Ann Levy, loving wife and mother of three, went to be with the Lord at the age of 66.

 

Debra was born at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, on January 20, 1955 to Elnora and Thomas Reed, Jr.  Debra graduated from Eastern Florida State College in December 2020 with her associate degree in Criminal Justice and just started attending the University of Central Florida, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  On November 9, 2001, she married Charles Levy Jr.

 

Debra was the epitome of everything she did:  Civil Servant, Air Force Reservist, Distinguished Toastmaster, Red Hat Queen, John Maxwell speaker, Ordained Minister, College Student, Mother, Grandmother and Wife.  She was a federal civil servant for over 32 years and an Air Force Reservist for over 30 years, at locations from Fort Bragg, NC to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Detroit, Michigan to McChord AFB, WA, to March AFB, CA, to Homestead AFB, FL, and finally to Patrick AFB, FL.  Debra served her country proudly in both these capacities and received many accolades along the way.  Debra retired from Civil Service January 20, 2011 (her birthday) and from the Air Force Reserve on April 30, 2011. 

 

Debra wanted to improve her public speaking skills and learned about the Toastmaster’s International organization.  There wasn’t a local Toastmaster’s Club, so she took the initiative to start a new club at Patrick AFB, FL, called Beachside Broadcasters, where she served as the first President and achieved Distinguished Toastmaster status.  She later learned of an organization called the Red Hat Society and wanted to be a “Red Hatter”.  So again, she took the initiative and started a new Red Hat Society chapter, where she served as the Queen of the Red Hat Foxes chapter for over eight years until she went to be with the Lord.

 

In pursuit of her goal to be a motivational speaker, Debra completed the John Maxwell course, which required extensive online training and traveling to seminars and workshops. It took a lot of time and dedication, but she successfully became an official John Maxwell Team Member. Debra was also a Notary Public and her favorite part was officiating marriages.  Instead of using a simple script for a quick ceremony, Debra always went the extra mile.  She interviewed the couples so she could personalize the script.  She performed wedding ceremonies on the beach and in back yards.  She even performed one ceremony as it started to rain from an approaching hurricane.  She enjoyed performing weddings so much that she decided to do it as an ordained minister.  Debra always went above and beyond to ensure a successful event.

 

Debra loved to learn as evidenced by her starting her Criminal Justice Associate in Arts Transfer Plan after she retired from both her military and civil service careers.  She was consistently on the Dean’s List for maintaining an excellent GPA.  Debra was an excellent student, mentoring younger students, and hosting study sessions in her home.  And with all she had going on in her busy life, Debra still found time to be the best Mother, Grandmother and Wife any child, grandchild or husband could ask for.  She made time for each child, Malik, Andre and Renee, on a daily basis, mentoring them as they grew and helping them through life’s challenges with love, understanding and guidance.  She loved her grandchildren, Anthony, Jazmyn, and Janae, more than they could possibly know.  Debra did her best to ensure they had the opportunity to enjoy childhood activities like basketball, dance, and gymnastics.  She would teach them how to cook, why it is important to love your family and as many life lessons as she could.  And then there was me, her husband, Charles.  We loved each other with all our hearts.  She was my Queen.  We were married just nineteen short years.  She always told me I loved to talk while she was an introvert.  She would tease me and say I was “wordy” and as she is looking down on me right now, she is cringing at the length of this obituary.  Our love was strong, consistent, and never wavering.  Debra had the kindest soul and was beautiful inside and out.  Her infectious laugh could fill a room and her gentle voice could command attention.  Debra was an extremely accomplished woman who achieved whatever she put her mind to.  She was stellar and worthy of emulation.  This Phenomenal Woman will be terribly missed.

 

Debra was preceded in death by her mother, Elnora M. Reed, and father, Thomas Reed Jr.  She is survived by her husband Charles, three children, Malik, Andre and Renee and three grandchildren, Anthony, Jazmyn and Janae.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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