Debra Blair Storey

Debra Blair Storey, 66, of Stanley, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025. Born March 20, 1959, in Bellevue, Washington, she was the daughter of the late John Gilbert Storey and Glendine Faye Sanders Storey Schwartz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, David Stough Schwartz. Debra grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland and attended college at West Virginia Wesleyan. She graduated from Shepherd College with a B.A. in The Arts. She also attended Johns Hopkins University as a grad student earning a Special Education Certificate. Debra worked as the Vocational Program Director at The Whitaker School in North Carolina, a residential facility for students with behavioral and emotional disorders. She was named Teacher of the Year finalist for the entire state of North Carolina. If you were a friend of Debra's, you were a friend for life, and she had so many. She was always an advocate for the underdog. Debra loved nature, camping, adventure, people and her dogs. As a talented artist, she was a free spirit with a beautiful soul. Surviving are a sister, Marta Storey Armstrong (Richard) of Rockingham, Virginia, and a brother, Gilbert Scott Storey of Greensboro, North Carolina. She was the "fun aunt" to her niece, Danielle Armstrong, and three nephews, Adam Armstrong, John Gilbert Storey, and Reichen Storey. Also surviving are several close friends and extended family. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg with the Rev. Keith Phillips officiating. Interment will be private at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerstown, Maryland. Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Arts Council; a dog shelter; a children's facility, or any charity that you associate with Debra.