After a long and brave 27-year battle with a rare blood cancer, Mrs. Deborah Lynn Hey Black (Debby) 65, of Lynn Haven, FL passed away at her home on Monday, June 8, 2020. Born on August 31,1954 to French Lynn Hey in what was then the Territory of Hawaii, Debby was a resident of Kansas for her formative years and moved to Connecticut during High School. There she met her husband, Black, a U.S. Coast Guard Officer and Aviator and they married in Manchester Connecticut on August 23, 1974. For the next thirty years Debby’s life was a whirlwind of turning houses into homes, moving over 15 times and decorating each with her remarkable decorators’ eye. Debby had an exceptional singing talent and appeared in High School musicals, community theater, and charitable events. Her greatest love was singing to and about her Lord Jesus Christ in many choirs, churches and chapels over those many duty locations. She also had an exceptional touch as a decorator. Although not formally trained, her remarkable eye had a way of turning trinkets, bits of cloth, silk flowers, and beads into magical and memorable events for military functions, self-hosted parties, anniversaries, and holidays. Throughout all of this she was devoted to her husband and their three sons She could always be found at the boys’ school and sports events, ever supportive of not only her own children, but in her special way all who participated. After the 30 years of Coast Guard service, where they resided for the remaining years of her life. There she regularly attended Hiland Park Baptist Church when her health permitted. She was active in the local Christian Women’s Club and the Panama City Women’s Club. During her 65 years she made a positive impact on everyone she met. Through all her many battles she was always thinking and doing for everyone else. Debby saw the world through eyes of love and caring with her love spreading to every person she met. Most knew her as Debby but those that loved her most knew her as Mom or Grandma. Mrs. Black was a graduate of East Hartford Connecticut High School Class of 1972 and attended Manchester Community College.
Mrs. Black is survived by her husband of 45 years, Captain USCG retired; three sons, her mother Proctor; her sister five grandchildren
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Southerland Event Center in Lynn Haven with Dr. Carl Fondren officiating. Interment will follow in Lynn Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 hr. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation www.iwmf.com in remembrance of Deborah Hey Black.