Deborah Ann DeBoue

Deborah Ann DeBoue was born in Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA on May 16, 1955 to the late Elijah and Jeanetta DeBoue. On February 2, 2021, at approximately 2:30 am, her Heavenly Father whispered in her ear and told her it was time for her to come home, where he took her by the hand and led her home. In his divine wisdom, God saw fit to remove all hurt and pain from His child. Although we are in a very trying time with this pandemic, Deborah Ann’s final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that she had touched in so many ways throughout her very memorable life.

When she was a teenager, her mother and siblings migrated to New York. Deborah Ann attended William E. Grady High School there, and received her high school diploma.

On October 27, 1973, she was united in marriage to Jerry Watts, and from this union, two children were born: Anthony (Poncho) Watts and Tonaya Watts-Poindexter. Deborah Ann continued her education at Jefferson Business School in New Orleans, LA and earned a Certificate in Bookkeeping. She moved back and forth between New Orleans and New York. Deborah Ann eventually decided to settle down in Delaware with her daughter and grandchildren.

She held a number of jobs. Deborah Ann’s first employer was Citi Bank, where she worked as a clerk. She served as a bartender, a cashier at Family Dollar and Walmart. Deborah Ann also worked as a horticulturist.

She loved helping people, especially her family. Deborah Ann was known as the neighborhood “Nana” and was very outgoing and down to earth. She loved cooking, dancing, crocheting, shopping and traveling. Deborah Ann had a great sense of humor and was always making people laugh. She made friends everywhere she went and was known for her good heart.

Deborah Ann was baptized in the early 1970s at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY under the leadership of Dr. Robert Laws. In 2011, she became a member at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Middletown, DE under the leadership of Rev. George Sadler, where she sang on the choir and was on the usher board.

In addition to her parents, Deborah Ann was preceded in death by her brother, Elijah Mickey Patterson; sisters, Audrey Lou Williams, Deloris DeBoue, Geraldine Mayho, Mary Ann DeBoue Garrison and Estelle DeBoue Williams; nephews, Robert Williams, Stanley Williams Sr., Leroy (Skeete) DeBoue Jr., Ricky Martin Jr., Stanley Williams Jr. and Rodney Arnie Rabsatt; and nieces, Chevelle Phifer, Shelitha Dominic and Latrice Monique Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her children, Anthony (Poncho) Watts and Tonaya Watts-Poindexter; pet child, Brownie DeBoue; son-in-law, Rodney Poindexter; daughter-in-law, Staci Watts; grandchildren, Shamika Pleasant, Rodney Elijah Poindexter, Anthony Cousins, Kirk Vaughn, Kamaria Keys, Briannah Watts, Kamari Watts, Ashleigh Watts, Marquise Perkins, Kenny Fields and Shanice Haynes; grand-daughter-in-law, Iyanna Crawley; pet grandchildren, Miss Bailey Buttons, Benson, Shadow Poindexter, Marlee and Mylo Watts; great grandchildren, Kailyah and Kasey Mitchell; pet great grandchildren, Oreo, Butter, Muffin, Athena and Achilles; sisters, Lorena DeBoue, Mary Louise DeBoue, Jeanette DeBoue, Lorraine Morgan and Albertha Christophe; brothers, Leroy DeBoue, Thomas Mitchell DeBoue, Larry Joseph (Zakee) DeBoue and Edward James DeBoue; sister-in-law, Vicki Watts; brother-in-laws, John and Carl Watts; as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 noon until 1 pm on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, followed by a funeral service at 1 pm. Face masks will be required for all in attendance. Interment will be held privately.

Any family members or friends who are unable to attend Deborah’s service can live stream the service by clicking here.