Obituaries

If you’re going to throw away used dryer sheets, stop! You can use those to get cooked-on food out of pots and pans. Do you have pantyhose with rips? They can be used to help support a tall growing plant. Do you have a teaspoon full of beer? Put it in your garden in a lid to get rid of slugs. The best way to grow plants and children is to give them plenty of sunshine and shower them with love and kindness. She always had a little piece of advice to offer anyone that needed it.

On October 29th at 69 years old, Deborah passed peacefully from this world surrounded by family at Roanoke Carilion hospital from cancer. She was greeted in Heaven by her Lord and Savior and a host of family and friends. Oh, what a celebration that must have been!

Deborah was born on January 8, 1953 to Jesse and Elsie Carter. She was raised on love, laughter, Jesus, hard work, pinto beans and potatoes. She was her daddy‘s girl and her mom’s pride and joy. She learned how to play and to fight with her many brothers. She always recalled how she had to pay her brother a quarter to wear his jeans. Her name was Deborah Lynn, but that was a mouthful for her brothers to say so they shortened it to Ben. She said she could always tell when her brothers were lying because she said their lips would get big. She could whip all of them in a game of basketball. She loved listening to anything by Elvis. She graduated from Morehead High School in the class of 1971. She loved taking care of her parents until they passed.

Deborah always looked for a reason to celebrate. She looked forward to family get-togethers. She was usually the one that made the plans and set everything in motion. She loved celebrating her birthday. She not only celebrated on the actual day, she celebrated “the week before, the week of, and the week after”, basically the whole month of January.

She began dating Roger Shockley and they were married in June 1975. They made a lovely home on what is simply referred to as the “farm”. From this union, two children were born, Karen and Steven. Like with everything else in her life, she went above and beyond for her children. You could find her waiting at dance class, karate class , football practice, or football games. She was a loving and devoted mother and taught her kids that love, Jesus and family were the most important things in this world. She would work night shift, then come home and work the lawn care business that she and Roger had established.

Most people only have one great love of their life, but she was blessed with two. She married Earl Donavant in November 2002. They made their home in Martinsville, Virginia, and you could see her handiwork in their beautifully landscaped yard, which won the Environmental Curb Appeal award. They did numerous projects together around their house.

She gained five bonus children which she adored. She worked at Miller Brewing Company for 32 years where she made numerous friends that became more like family. You could find her playing around with her “work brothers” almost every night. When she retired, she and Earl were able to travel. Some of her favorites include the trip out West for six weeks, trips to the Florida Keys, Bike Week in Florida, as well as Bike Week in Sturgis. She loved seeing all the beautiful places. She and Earl could be found riding motorcycles with dear friends and family, and she loved her special time with her husband who was so good to her.

Deborah was always a hard worker. She loved her weedeater and wouldn’t let a soul touch it. She was an avid gardener that could literally grow anything. Her favorite flower was “all of them”. She loved the color yellow and she had the most beautiful blue eyes you’ve ever seen. She adored her grandchildren, and was always there to support them in everything they were involved in. She had many extra children and grandchildren--just about everyone called her mama or Nana. She gave so much of herself to make the world a better place for others. She was always helping someone, whether it be fixing a plate for someone to eat, picking up sticks out of the yard, or washing dishes. She never met a stranger. If she loved you, you knew it. She had the biggest heart in the smallest body that you’ve ever seen. She always put her family first and would help them in any way she could. She loved her church family. She always attracted old men and dogs. She said that old men always had the best stories and dogs love unconditionally. The same can be said for her. She was a once in a lifetime woman that will definitely be missed. She would always say ”I Love you today, tomorrow and always”. She loved making memories. Her love of life was infectious and she always had a smile to share with anyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Elsie Carter, brothers Tony Meeks and Willie Gibson; sister Faye Anderson; and bonus daughter Crystal Averet.

Left to cherish her memory are husband Earl Donavant; children Karen (children- Paige and Matthew) and Steven (children Ian and Ethan); bonus children Belinda Murray (husband Greg), Bridget Donavant, Melissa Weatherford, Adam Donavant (wife-Tonya); 11 bonus grandchildren; 8 bonus great grandchildren; brothers Frankie Carter, Jesse Carter Jr (wife - Lesia), Rodney Carter, Tim Carter (wife-Judy), Doug Carter (wife-Jenny); sisters, MaeDean Simmons, Peggy Wade, Sylvia Bryant (husband-Ronnie); numerous nieces and nephews; and close family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 5th at 12:00 pm at the home of Tim and Judy Carter, 565 Rob Tom Road, Eden NC. If attending, please bring your own chair. In lieu of flowers, Deborah would have wanted to help others. Please consider donating to the Barry L. Joyce Cancer fund. bljcancerfund.org

The family would like to thank the staff and physicians that took care of her during her illness. Thank you for all of the thoughts, prayers and cards sent.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.