Debra Whitworth Obituary

JONESBOROUGH - Debra Lee Thomas Whitworth, of Jonesborough, TN, passed away May 21, 2023, at Johnson City Medical Center after winning her battle.

Debra was born in Detroit, MI in 1953. Debra brought decades of experience as a successful executive assistant to CEOs and corporate attorney groups but also a lifetime in ministry. Growing up as a pastor's daughter and then marrying a pastor, she continued to impact many through her own personal ministry and through skillfully supporting her husband Dwight in his ministry to churches and most recently at Dwight Whitworth and Company LLC. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Louisville, KY, and attended Welch College (Free Will Baptist Bible College) with a major in Christian Education and a minor in music. In addition, she held the position of assistant to the director of Public Relations for CBN and was the Citizens Liaison for The City of Johnson City, as well as Vice President of Dwight Whitworth and Company LLC. Debra was known for her fierce love for the Lord and her ability to encourage and be a prayer warrior for many. Her light and love-filled personality and her great wit were renowned, as was her skill in writing plays, musicals, poems, and songs. She was also an anointed singer, blessed with a beautiful voice.

Debra is survived by her husband of forty-nine years Dwight Whitworth; son Matthew Whitworth of Jonesborough, TN; daughter Meredith Whitworth Eades and son-in-law David Eades of Jonesborough, TN; granddaughters Peyton Whitworth and Caroline Whitworth; grandson Roman Eades; brothers Danny Thomas and David Thomas; and sister Doreen Garner. Debra was preceded in death by her father, Glenn Thomas; her mother, Kathleen Thomas; her sister, Diane Thomas Harris; and her granddaughter, Joy Eades. The family will receive friends at Calvary Church in Johnson City, TN, on Friday, May 26th at 9:30 am with the celebration of life service after at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Debra's honor to the Providence Academy Capital Campaign, 2788 Carrol Creek Road, Johnson City, TN 37615