Deborah Dean Curry

Debbie Hutchins Curry, age 65, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after a brief, but intense, illness. She was hospitalized at Princeton Community Hospital and later Ruby Memorial Hospital, both from which she received exceptional care. She peacefully passed in her sleep surrounded by the love of Matthew, her child, Michael, her husband, and the support and prayers of friends whom she considered family. She was the daughter of Joseph and Jerri Hutchins of Princeton, both of whom preceded her to Heaven. Born in Montgomery, AL, and raised in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Virginia before the family settled in Princeton, Debbie was a graduate of Princeton Senior High School, then Concord University, where she was class Valedictorian before attending Washington and Lee Law School in Lexington, VA, where she earned Order of the Coif, won Moot Court, and was selected Burke Scholar. Debbie was an employee of Marshall University Medical School and worked in the Center for Rural Health, where she coordinated many of the outreach efforts for the medical school, touching the lives of countless students seeking medical careers in West Virginia and beyond. She also taught adjunct at Concord, where she worked previously as Vice President for Student Services, Human Resources Director, Assistant Admissions Director, In-house Legal Counsel, President's Cabinet Member, and even Athletic Director, which she always joked about. Debbie helped to establish Coalfield Health Center in Chapmanville, where she served as the clinic's first Executive Director. She also proudly served on the Board of Tug River Medical Association, where she was just elected Treasurer. She was the former President of the West Virginia Rural Health Association and was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Executive Leaders Award for West Virginia last year. Debbie was a member of the West Virginia Bar Association and frequently presented lectures, seminars, and training events for attorneys and health care professionals both in-state and beyond. She was also a proud professional mentor to many colleagues who became close friends, which she valued tremendously because her greatest joy was teaching, and she imparted wisdom in many forms to these people. A very devout Christian, she was a member of the Order of Saint Luke, where she enjoyed spiritual retreats, daily devotions, and theological explorations. She was ordained in the Sojourners Ministries Network and lived by the Wesleyan mantra, "The World is My Parish," and her life of service was her best sermon. Debbie was a tenacious advocate of any ostracized individual or group, a staunch supporter of anyone facing injustice or prejudice, and a constant friend to thousands who found themselves needing a compassionate and kind hand during hard times. She completely and purely respected, admired, and loved everyone regardless of rank, class, or position. She was a pure heart whose only motives in life were to be the best momma and help as many and as much as she could. Along with Matthew, she was a regular weekly contributor to often-neglected communities, stocking the blessing boxes for the homeless and financially struggling citizens of Princeton. She loved flowers, planting her herbs, decorating for holidays, and celebrating every special occasion in life, no matter how small. She was the magic of every holiday, anniversary, and accomplishment. She took every opportunity to make people feel celebrated and special. Her hobbies included antiquing, trying to play the drums along with her favorite heavy metal bands, and tending to her booth at Snoopers Antique Mall in Wytheville, VA. She was also a beloved frequenter of Old Post in Bland, VA where she enjoyed searching for treasures with Matthew and close family friends by her side. She loved to travel, and her love of museums and the church were always incorporated into every vacation. A speed reader, she enjoyed everything from the Philokalia to Agatha Christie. Her truly amazing mind was only outshone by her loving, giving, and forgiving heart. No matter what problem she faced, she believed in following kindness to the logical answer. She never knew an enemy because her heart only saw the good in others, and she firmly believed in the divine light of God in all of us. She is survived by her child, Matthew, the two of whom loved one another more than anything, her husband, Michael, and cherished friends who became her family. May we all honor her memory by spreading kindness every day. Viewing by the public will be from noon to 12:55 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025, with funeral services held at 1:00 PM at the Seaver Funeral Home on North Walker Street in Princeton. A private burial will be at the nearby Oakwood Cemetery following the services. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make donations to the Trevor Project, a charitable organization which has always been close to her heart. To livestream the service please click on the link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUd9gfhYbNDSGnKd3YLG1ag