Debbie Lou Alspaugh McCormick

The world became a brighter place on January 29th, 1953, the day that Debbie Lou Alspaugh McCormick, also known as Deb, Debbie Lou, Deb Deb, Dede, Lavenda, and Honey, was born. Sadly, Deb passed on November 27th, 2023, at the age of 70, after a long and happy life. She will be sorely missed.

Debbie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Alspaugh; her aunt Zellene and uncle George Rasnake, who loved her as their own; and her special Godson, Austin Staples.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 36 years, Mike McCormick, and their loyal dog, Beau; her two sisters, Cindy Staples, and Wenona Williams (Keith); and her brother, Kenneth "Kenny Boo" Alspaugh (Pat); and a host of special cousins. She was a proud Godmother to Cassie Rae, Codie Liz, Cameron, and Colleen, proud Aunt to Amanda, Zachary, Carrie, Brooke, Kari, Lindsay, RJ, and proud grand Aunt to Brady, Blake, Connor, Hudson, Milo, and one in the oven!

Debbie grew up in Chesterfield County and spent most of her adult life here. It was here that she was first introduced to church at a very early age. Her mother, grandmother, uncle, aunts, sisters, and cousins belonged to Seventh Day Adventist Church on Roanoke Street. As Debbie got older, she began to realize that just going to church was not enough, and she began to serve the Lord in the church after returning from college. She was a youth leader for over 25 years where she organized many VBS grand productions. She was ordained as a lady deacon, and later, she became one of the first ordained lady elders of the Adventist church.

Debbie knew in her childhood years that she wanted to pursue a career in teaching, so after graduating from Meadowbrook High School, she attended Longwood College to receive her Bachelor of Education. She spent 31 years teaching where she gained many lifelong friends amongst her colleagues. Her students were so dear to her and brought her much joy throughout the years.

During her retirement, Debbie most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She attended every Bullfrogs family softball game where she was our devoted cheerleader; everyone knew she had arrived at the field when we heard her famous call. She also attended every sporting event that her nieces and nephews played in throughout the years. She was an enthusiastic Gamecocks football and VCU basketball fan; she would cheer with excitement with every win.

Our beloved Debbie never met a stranger and made everyone she met a friend; to know her was to love her, and to meet her was to be loved. Those who knew her described her as pure love, life, and sunshine; a bright light from above. Her goofy, fun-loving, joyful spirit made us laugh, made us cry, and made us whole. Debbie was the cornerstone of our family, and we will cherish her in our hearts until she greets us with the Lord in Heaven. Amen, sweet Deb, Amen.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, December 8th, 2023 at Cloverhill Church (12310 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian, Virginia, 23112) for visitation beginning at 11:00am followed by a celebration of life service at Noon. There will be a private internment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Debbie at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Memorials/Memorials?px=2085815&pg=personal&fr_id=154020