Deborah Ann Gregory

Deborah Ann Gregory was born on November 16, 1958, to the late Shirley Ann Gregory and Gally Jones in York County, VA. On Monday, December 29, 2025, God sent his angels to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Center to bring Debbie Ann home for eternal rest.

Debbie Ann attended York County Public Schools and graduated from York High School in 1977; she received a basketball scholarship to attend Norfolk State University. She later enlisted in the United States Army, where she was stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC, Ft. Gordon, GA, Camp Casey, Korea, Ft. Riley, KS, and temporary duty station at Ft. Eustis, VA.

After her commitment to the military, Debbie Ann worked at Newport News Shipyard, Parent Child Development Center, York County Public Schools, Swans Cleaners, Comtek (Communication Technologies, Inc.), the Boys and Girls Club, and as a caregiver. She never met a stranger and was always eager to lend a helping hand, sharing the Gospel of Jesus and His love for all. A true missionary without the title, yet once you met her, it was apparent she loved the Lord.

Debbie Ann's faithful journey began at an early age. She was baptized and became a member of Grafton Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA, where she was faithful for over 35 years. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Queen Ester Missionary Circle, Director of Little Angels Choir, and drove the church van to provide community outreach services to all children in York County needing transportation to church. Her Heart, Soul, and Spirit were pouring into the children. She would provide meals, clothes, and tutoring as well. Her support extended further; she invited the parents to attend church and assisted them in obtaining necessary resources. Debbie Ann was widely known for championing those most in need. While in transition, she joined Rising Sun Baptist Church, Yorktown, VA, under the leadership of Rev. David Spratlley, before relocating to Greensboro, NC, where she joined and became a very faithful and active member with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, High Point, NC, under the leadership of Apostle Reginald Kellam. She was a true Missionary and an Evangelist without the title.

Throughout Debbie Ann's life, she lived it with a sense of excellence, desiring only the best. She took pride in all that she did. She was known for her pound cakes; she knew her cakes were like no other, and everyone who had a slice knew it, too. Her love of God, encouragement, and passion for working with people will forever be remembered.

Debbie Ann is preceded in death by her grandparents, Clyde and Catherine Gregory. and her parents, Shirley Ann Gregory and Gally Jones. She leaves to cherish her memories, two children, Sherisse Owens, Greensboro, NC and Brian Owens, Chicago IL; three grandchildren Cruz, Nyla, and Prince; two special daughters, Shaquoia Walton, Atlanta, GA and Dionna Billingsley, Savannah, GA; two special sons, Perry Evans and Delvin Breeden, both of Richmond, VA; five sisters, Darlette Gregory, San Antonio, TX, Lana McCallum (Charles), Jamestown, NC, Kay Riddle (Daniel), St. Augustine, FL, Carla Gregory, Williamsburg, VA, and Wanda Gregory, Charlotte, NC; a brother Kelvin Gregory (Cynthia), Karnes City, TX; two uncles, William Gregory (Mary), Yorktown, VA, and Thomas Lewis, Danville, VA; two aunts, Elsie Wray, Chester, VA and Celestine Gregory, Seaford, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and loving friends.

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13

A Celebration Service for Deborah Ann Gregory will be held at 11:00 a.m. January 17, 2026, at Grafton Baptist Church, Grafton, Virginia, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment with military honors to follow in Rising Sun Baptist Church Cemetery, Lackey, Virginia.

Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com