Deborah Kay "Debbie" Gernt

Deborah "Debbie" Kay Gernt -- Debbie was a beloved daughter, mother, and grandmother. She passed away to be in the presence of the Lord on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 59.

Debbie was born on September 15th, 1966, at Cookeville General Hospital in Cookeville, Tennessee. She loved her family deeply and was resolute in her commitment to creating lasting memories, helping those around her, and acting as a source of ease and comfort for those that needed her. When times were tough, she bravely shouldered the hardships of this world while maintaining grace and love for those around her. She was redeemed by Jesus Christ at the age of eight and was a faithful, longtime member of Spring Creek The Baptist Church in Cookeville since 1977.

In her free time, Debbie loved spending time with her family and friends and ensured every event in her children's lives was met with support and many many many pictures. Debbie was always excited for any active role she could play. She joyfully served her church family by directing the Christmas play, cheered her children on at countless sporting events, and hosted numerous special dinners and holiday get-togethers year-after-year. Her love for these events emanated at the end of every year when she would give her children a calendar with hundreds of pictures documenting those precious moments.

She built a remarkable 32-year career in accounting, starting in 1991 and retiring in 2023. Her first role was as an Auditor with the U.S. Department of Energy. Later, she would serve as Chief Financial Officer for the Putnam County Board of Education while earning her MBA and raising her three children. She moved on to become Director of Grant Accounting at Tennessee Technological University, then returned to the Department of Energy and retired as a Senior Auditor.

To her friends, family, and colleagues, she was Debbie; to her children she was Mom; and to her grandchildren, she was lovingly known as DeDe.

She is survived by her mother, Agnes Louise (Mason) Gentry.

Her three children: Benjamin Taylor, Nicholas Arthur, and his wife, June, and Abbye Kathryn Gernt.

Her three grandchildren: Esther Sue, Montgomery Arthur, and Louisa Jane Gernt.

And many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends that she loved so dearly.

She is preceded in death by her father, Harold Taylor Gentry.

In addition to her father, Debbie was preceded in death by her grandparents: Larry & Tilda Gentry and J.B. & Evelyn Mason.

The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bros. Richard and Eric Wood officiating. Interment will follow at Smith Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

To sign the online guestbook and send the family a message, please visit www.crestlawnmemorial.com

Arrangements entrusted to Crest Lawn Funeral Home.