Debra Lynn Long-Doyle

1954 - 2024

Debra Lynn Long was born in Buffalo, NY, to Benjamin and Virginia Long on October 7, 1954 and passed on October 16, 2024. Following her formative years in Buffalo, Debra went on to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority, Epsilon Nu Chapter, and earned her bachelor's degree in English in 1976. Debra received her Juris Doctorate from American University Washington College of Law in 1981. She then worked at the Federal Trade Commission where she met her future husband, Robert W. Doyle, Jr, Esq.

Debra became an Assistant U.S. Attorney, serving more than 30 years. With exceptional trial skills, she investigated and tried cases both locally and internationally in the D.C. Superior Court, the D.C. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, successfully trying over 125 jury cases. Some highlights of her career included serving as a supervisor, serving as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Relations and earning Special Achievement Awards under multiple U.S. Attorneys, including the Harold J. Sullivan Award presented to her by the Assistant U.S. Attorney's Association in 1995. Throughout her career and following her retirement, Debra remained an active member of many associations and a teacher in the legal community.

A woman of faith and passionate social justice advocate, Debra was an active member of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, serving most recently on the Board of Christian Social Action. She was also a longstanding member of the Arlington chapter of The Links, Incorporated, serving as a member on multiple committees. As a perennial athlete, Debra was an avid dancer, cheerleader and runner from an early age and took up cycling in retirement. Not long before her passing, Debra attended the AKA 71st Boule, marking 50 years of membership alongside her line sisters.

Debra is preceded in death by both parents, son Benjamin, and husband Robert. She is survived by two daughters, Michaela (Craig) and Skyler; one brother, Charles (Cathy); one sister, Mary; two grandsons, Isaac and Dylan; two nieces, Maya and Dawn; three nephews, Marcus, Terence and Daryl Anthony; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Service will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024 at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, 4704 13th Street NW, Washington, DC, Viewing at 9:30 a.m., with the Links, Inc. ceremony at 9:45 a.m. and Ivy Beyond the Wall at 10:15 a.m. The service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment private