Debra Sue Heaton

Debra Sue Heaton, 70, of Sarasota, FL, passed away peacefully with family by her side on July 1, 2024. She is now rejoicing with our Lord and is reunited with her husband of 43 years, Dave.
Debbie was born in Springfield, IL on April 7, 1954, and was the daughter of Haskell and Gertie Harris. She graduated as salutatorian from Williamsville High School in 1972. After graduating high school, Debbie worked at Horace Mann until 1979, where she worked her way up from a keypunch operator to a computer programming trainer. In 1976, she met the love of her life, Dave, through a blind date. They were married in Springfield, IL on August 27, 1977. In their early years of marriage, Debbie and Dave moved to several locations, including Chicago, IL and Panama City, FL, as Dave completed dental school and served in the United States Air Force. They settled in Sarasota, FL in 1986, where Debbie spent her remaining years as a devoted wife and incredible mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In addition to being a wonderful homemaker, she also worked as a bookkeeper for Dave's dental practice.
Debbie was extremely dedicated to her family. Every moment was spent making sure that her husband and children had everything they needed and more, and all that she did was done with complete love. She was filled with pride as she watched her children play baseball, perform in band concerts, compete in gymnastics, and more. She absolutely loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother and selflessly helped care for her grandchildren for many years. Her family is forever grateful for the sacrifices she made to allow for such a blessed upbringing. They are also thankful to have so many fond memories to look back on and treasure. Later in life, Debbie developed a love for photography and especially enjoyed going for walks and taking photographs of different species of birds. She loved going to watch the Rays and Buccaneers play and attending concerts. She also made so many amazing memories traveling the world with Dave, and they visited all seven continents together.
Debbie was a faithful servant of God who touched countless lives. She generously donated her time and talents to volunteering at her children's school, teaching Sunday School, and leading Vacation Bible School for many years. She also served as an encourager for the youth of her church, providing them with love, support, and wisdom. In 1996, Debbie went on her very first mission trip, where she delivered Christmas gifts to impoverished children in Nicaragua. She continued to go on mission trips year after year and led many church members, family members, and friends to do the same. She and Dave were extremely generous in their support of Missionary Ventures, joyfully giving and making an enormous impact around the world.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Haskell and Gertie Harris, her beloved husband, David Heaton, and her siblings, Bob Harris, Larry Harris, and Opal Meredith. She is survived by her three children, Daniel Heaton (Danielle), Deanna Mitchell (Kenny), and Danielle Horton (Doug), her grandchildren, Decklin, Diem, Brigitte (Travis), Maegan, Brayden, Matthew, Isabella, and Savannah, and her great-granddaughter, Auburn. Other survivors include her sisters Mary Ann Orme (Steve) and Judy Zillion (Richard), several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL. A memorial service will follow on the same date at Toale Brothers Funeral Home at 3:00 PM.
Interment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
The family requests that memorial donations be sent to Missionary Ventures International, 1017 Maitland Center Commons Blvd., Maitland, FL 32751.