Debra Elizabeth DeVane

Debra Elizabeth DeVane completed her journey on this earth September 7th, 2025 at the age of 67. She was born on February 19th, 1958 to the late George and Willie A. DeVane, at Community Hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina. Debra was one of 10 children. Six brothers, George Jr, DeVoil Sr, Ronald Sr, Willie, Chester and Bobby. Three sisters Geraldine, Elaine and Adrian.

Debra attended the family church, Price Cathedral A.M.E. Zion and often visited other churches throughout Wilmington. Debra believed in the word of God. The Holy Bible was the road map for her life. She read the scriptures daily and could recite verses verbatim to anyone willing to listen. Over her lifetime her religious convictions grew strong and she looked forward to Jesus returning to earth and the Holy Rapture. She would often say, "I am only a Pilgrim Passing Through". She was not interested in material possessions. You'd never catch Debra shopping for new furniture or the latest gadget, yet she always had everything she truly wanted and needed. Wherever Debra lived she always fed the birds and provided a bird bath. She would quote Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." Find where the birds are happy, eating and clean and Debra is living somewhere close by.

Debra attended and completed her high school education at John T, Hoggard High School in New Hanover County. She was a student of life and a free spirit. Never tied down to one spot for long Debra moved about. She lived and worked in various parts of North Carolina, Florida, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Exploring many jobs over her lifetime, Debra started working while still attending high school driving a school bus! After graduation, she was employed at the Atlantic Marine on Wrightsville Beach. She worked the docks, the boats, and caught shrimp. She picked fruit in orange groves, worked as an exterminator, worked for a car wash, and she proudly rode as the only woman on a trash truck as a refuse collector! Debra spent many years working alongside Nancy Hearne of Nancy Hearne's Wedding Cakes, not only as her personal assistant in business and daily life, but also as a loyal and cherished friend.

Debra was known for her honesty, integrity and being extremely clean. If you wanted something immaculate - you called Debra. This was a job she loved to do. From boats to bathrooms - from restaurants to trucks, her reputation preceded her throughout Wilmington. Heaven will be a little brighter now that Debra has arrived because she will put a Spit Shine On It!

Debra leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories with her siblings: Elaine Phillips, Ronald DeVane, Sr., Willie DeVane, and Adrian Edgerton, all of Wilmington, NC; Chester DeVane (Sharon) of Garner, NC; and Bobby DeVane (Chanel) of Mitchellville, MD. She is also remembered with love by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Willie DeVane; her sister, Geraldine Rollinson; and her brothers, Devoil E. DeVane, Sr. and George DeVane, Jr.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 1:00 pm at Price Cathedral AME Zion Church, 1201 Orange Street, Wilmington, NC.

Coastal Cremations 4710 Market Street Wilmington NC 28405

910.392.6032