Deborah Humphreys Walty

Deborah Humphreys Walty, 68, of Stephens City, Virginia, peacefully passed away on November 17th, 2025, in the company of her husband and children at the Blue Ridge Hospice inpatient care facility.

Deborah was born March 3rd, 1957, in Macomb, Illinois, to the late John Roy and Louise Humphreys Jr and was raised in Bear, Arkansas. She is alumna of Lake Hamilton High School, the University of Arkansas, and Shenandoah University, earning her master's degree in early childhood education.

Upon moving to Front Royal, Deborah pursued a career in teaching Family and Consumer Sciences at Aylor Middle School, Warren County High School, and most recently Sherando High School. Though her teaching career of over twenty years had a meaningful impact on many students and faculty, her true passions were being a child of God, a mother to her four kids, a devoted wife to her husband, and a doting grandmother to her grandchildren. Deborah left behind a legacy of love and faith in God and will be dearly missed by her friends and family.

Preceding her in death are her parents and younger sister, Ellen Humphreys Haight. She is survived by an older sister, Virginia Humphreys Kraft, husband Robert Walty, four children Christopher Merchant (Heather), Matthew Merchant, Holli Merchant, and Nicholas Merchant. Lastly, she is survived by her beloved grandchildren: Naomi Merchant, Natali Merchant, and Christian Merchant.

A service will be held Thursday, December 4th, at the Grace Fellowship Church of God (55 Westminster Drive, Front Royal, Va.), followed by her burial in Mount Hebron Cemetery (305 E Boscawen Street, Winchester Va.), then a Celebration of Life at 3pm at Vibrissa Beer & Kitchen (10 N Kent Street, Winchester, Va.).

Flowers may be sent to Grace Fellowship Church of God (55 Westminster Dr. Front Royal, VA).