Deborah Koontz "Debbie" Hoffman

Deborah “Debbie” Koontz Hoffman, of Salisbury, NC passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.

Born August 1, 1953 in Rowan County, NC she was the daughter of the late J.R. Koontz and Lottie Stoner Koontz.

Mrs. Hoffman was a graduate of Boyden High School and Rowan Cabarrus Community College. She worked as a special needs assistant teacher with North Rowan Schools. She was the owner of Debbie Leazer School of Dance where she taught dance for many decades. Debbie competed in dance at the NC Senior Games in Cary, NC. She was also a dance choreographer for Piedmont Players, served on the board of directors for the Waterworks Visual Arts Center where she also taught art classes, and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Debbie loved spending time at the beach, gardening, art, along with attending plays and operas, and getting together with the Class of 1971.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Vickie Koontz Smith, and sister-in-law, Candice Payton.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Pete Hoffman, Jr.; sons, John-Lee Leazer, Charles-Henry “Chuck” Leazer; stepson, James Peter Hoffman, III. (Karen Chau); stepdaughter, Amanda Leazer; brother-in-law, Hank Smith; and grandchildren who knew her as Mammy: Jaylee Opal Leazer, Stella Marie Leazer, Benjamin Augustus Leazer, Theodore Orson Hoffman, and Wyler Emeric Hoffman.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Hoffman family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.