Deborah Woolum Ikins

1956 - 2016

Deborah Kay Woolum Ikins, 59, of Clinton, Ohio, died unexpectedly on November 9th, 2016 in Akron, Ohio. She was an Oklahoma City native and former Alexandria Virginia resident.

Born November 28th, 1956 to Barbara Ann and the late Robert L. Woolum, Debbie graduated from Putnam City High School in 1975, then the University of Oklahoma in 1980 with a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, and Economics. In 1988 she moved to Alexandria, VA, working for a software company serving the U.S. House of Representatives, and meeting her husband. Married in Venice, Italy in April, 1995 they resided in Alexandria, VA. In 1999, she became Executive Vice President of the COMTEX News Network. She traveled internationally frequently. In 2007, the couple moved temporarily to Stuttgart, Germany and in 2009 to Canberra, Australia, where she volunteered reading news to the blind via public radio. She served in Protocol at the U.S. Embassy and was involved in the Australia visit of President Obama in 2011. Returning in 2012, the couple retired and moved in 2013 to Clinton, Ohio, where she renovated her husband's historic childhood home and became a valued member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She fought outside interference in local political issues and facilitated change. Appointed in April, 2016 to the Village Council as Chairman of Streets, Sidewalks and Parks, she also served on the Safety and Finance Committees. Her experience contributed to a more careful consideration of infrastructure improvements, safety and to accurately assess the village's financial well-being. She advanced the interests of the village she loved. Debbie loved her family and cherished lifelong learning. She was dedicated to serving those facing life challenges of all kinds. Her joy for life was tempered with a determination to do right. She is deeply missed by her many friends and especially by her husband, whose life she enriched.

She is survived by her husband, Colonel Charles G. Ikins USMCR (Ret.); mother, Barbara Ann Woolum; sister, Sandra (Sean) Howard and niece, Kennedy and nephew, Ian of Dallas, TX; brother, David (Lydia) W. Woolum of Oklahoma City; brother, Scott F. Woolum and nephews, Hunter and Aidan and niece, Arden of Oklahoma City; niece, Vivian (Gerald) Daniels of Houston, TX; Aunts, Patty Jones and Alice Reed; Uncle, Royce Wilmoth; as well as many cousins.

A memorial service will be conducted November 19th at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 7595 Middle Street, Clinton, Ohio with the Reverend Julie Thoms officiating. An additional memorial service will be conducted November 26th at 3 p.m. at Northwest Baptist Church, 3030 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK with Trey Bowden officiating. A final memorial service will be conducted at Arlington, Virginia at a time to be announced, inurnment occurring at Arlington National Cemetery. While flowers are welcome (http://m.dickandson.com/), donations can be made in her memory to the restoration of the1874 Trinity Lutheran Church organ at https://www.youcaring.com/inDebbiesMemory.