Debra Kay Maples
November 5, 1954 — May 9, 2024
Norwood
Debra (Debbie) Kay Maples passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Norwood at the age of 69.
Debbie was born November 5, 1954 in West Virginia to the late Emerson Coolege Akers and Dorothy Ann Coleman Akers. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Milton (Mickey) Lewis Maples, as well as her sisters, Delores (Dee Dee), Rebecca (Becky), and brother, Larry.
Debbie spent 28 years in Midland before moving to Colorado and finally back to Norwood, NC.
Debbie was a tremendous mother and “maw maw” with a special gift for encouraging children and the elderly. She was married to Richard Walker for 2 years and had a daughter Christy. In 1983 she married Mickey and had a son Bryan. She was known as the neighborhood mom; everyone loved coming to her house. She had an in home daycare for years and then she transitioned to “Activity Director” at First Assembly Living Center (FALC). She truly loved working with children and the elderly and said that her time at FALC was the best job ever. In the latter part of her life she spent as much of her time as possible playing with her grandchildren and spending time with her family.
There will be a visitation Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1:00 - 1:45 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle, 522 N. Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. A memorial service will follow in Hartsell Funeral Home's Lefler Memorial Chapel at 2:00 pm., officiated by Bryan Maples. The service will be webcast: https://video.ibm.com/channel/hartsell-funeral-home-albemarle1
Debbie is survived by; son, Bryan (Abby) Maples in Albemarle, NC and grandchildren, Autumn Maples and Brantley Maples; daughter, Christy (Ryan) Albertson of Camden, NC and grandson, Jackson Albertson; partner of 5 years, Eric Curlee of Norwood, NC and his grandson, Bryson Curlee; sisters, Geraldine Ratliff (David) of Nimitz, WV, Mary Taylor of Oak Hill, WV and brother, Ray Akers (Vickie) of Nickelsville, Kentucky.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Maples family.