Debra Lea Herbert

Debra Herbert went to be with the Lord on June 30, 2021, at Levine & Dickson Hospice in Charlotte, NC; surrounded by loving family.  Debra was born on April 12, 1959, in Sacramento, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Lillian Peterson, and her brother Kent Peterson.

Debra’s father served in the US Air Force during her childhood and his military tours took the family to New Jersey, Germany, and New Mexico. The remainder of Debra’s childhood was spent in Albuquerque, Roswell, Dexter, and Moriarty, NM.  She met her husband Josh in Albuquerque, and they married in 1983.  Josh was also in the Air Force and his career led them from Albuquerque to Newport News, VA and San Antonio, TX where Debra worked as a federal government auditor.  The family moved to Fort Mill, SC in 1999 upon Josh’s military retirement.  Debra was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend – her family was her pride and joy.  She volunteered for many of her children’s school activities, serving as an elementary school library volunteer and uniform mom for the Fort Mill HS Marching band for many years. Once her kids were out of school, she spent time at the Fort Mill Care Center.  In 2014, Debra became passionate about quilting for family and friends. She created over 100 amazing quilts in the past 7 years with the help of her beloved sister Sharon and circle of sewing friends.  She was friends to many and spent hours on the phone or visiting with them. She was diagnosed with an incurable cancer in 2017 and made the most of her remaining time by seeing both of her children as often as possible, enjoying frequent visits to/from her sister, and much time spent with her friends. Perhaps her biggest joy after her diagnosis was to see both of her children get married to wonderful spouses.

Debra is survived by her husband Josh Herbert of Fort Mill, SC, son Dr. Logan (Kelsey) Herbert of Ann Arbor, MI, daughter Lindsey (Seth) Murray of Fort Mill, SC, sister Sharon (Dale) Hagin of Albuquerque, NM, brother Ben (Betty) Peterson of Albuquerque, NM, Aunts Bernice Doerr and Charlotte Dunn of New Braunfels, TX, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church on Moss Rd in Charlotte on July 24th at 4pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Cancer Association (http://www.kidneycancer.org).