On October 3rd, 1962 in Providence Rhode Island, Debra Dolores Washington became the first born child of Howard Washington Sr., and Emma (Farley) Washington. After a life well lived, she, with her loved ones surrounding her, transitioned to Glory on November 8th, 2024, at Atrium Health in Pineville, NC.

Debra inherited a passion for music from her parents, and started singing at an early age, and quickly picked up passions for cooking, doing hair, and developing her "green thumb", also inherited from Emma. She graduated from Frank Morrell High School in Irvington, New Jersey, with her little brother Howard, only a couple of years behind.  She and Howard had the typical sister-brother relationship–she let him know she was the big sister. Their bond was strong, and they remained close with daily phone calls and texts, never letting the 1000 miles that separated them create distance.

As an adult, Debra's pride and joy was her children, and she had 5 total. Her daughter, the baby of the family, Jenna S. Washington, preceded her in death.  After raising them in Newark, New Jersey, she moved her family back South in 1997, and officially made the Carolinas her home. She was an active grandparent from the start, attending graduations and birthday celebrations, and in her later years, enjoyed cooking and decorating for the holidays, in preparation for her family's visits.

Debra leaves a wealth of everlasting memories to her 4 sons: Terrell H. Washington Sr. (Samara) of Rock Hill, SC; Ameer J. Washington (Monica) and Raheem J. Washington, both of Charlotte, NC; Ayvan J. Washington (Ciara) of Clayton, NC; her brother, Howard E. Washington, Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island; her sister, Kinna Hobson (James) of El Paso Texas, her brother, Bobby Andrews (Debbie) of East Orange, New Jersey; 13 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 2 furry grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday November 22, 2024 in the chapel of Hooper Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm-1:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. Her remains may be viewed Thursday November 21, 2024 from 12pm-6pm at the funeral home.