Deborah Crowe

Deborah Gene Crowe (Coulson) rose into the arms of Jesus on July 13, 2024. She was the loving wife of Dr. Dennis Tim Crowe Jr., Mother of Mike (Stephanie) Crowe and Kristin (Eric) Johnson and Gram to Makayla, Anna and Ella Crowe and Luke, Zach and Eliza Johnson.

Deb was born on September 13, 1950, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Kathryn (Chapman) Gammons and late Jim Coulson. She was the oldest of three children followed by her brother Tom (Linda) Coulson and sister Carla (David) Stewart. She is also preceded in death by stepparents Warren Gammons, Peggy Coulson and Gayle Coulson, in-laws Dennis and Anna Mae Crowe, and her sweet daughter in-law, Stephanie Crowe. Deb loved so many people and so many people loved her. She was a loving wife, mother, gram, sister, aunt, and friend. Deb met Tim in 1970, while they were both working at the C-Lazy-U cattle, horse and dude ranch in Granby, Colorado during their college summer break. Deb was a student at the University of Colorado and Tim was a cowboy/veterinary medical student from Iowa State University. During their courtship, Deb surprised Tim with a banana cream pie after they worked together to save eighty sick horses. Soon after, they fell in love and she accepted a homemade horseshoe nail engagement ring from her cowboy and the ring fit just right! Deb was a woman of faith in Jesus and was a long-time member of St. James Church in Athens, GA and volunteered her time there in multiple roles. She had a knack for being serious when it was required but had the Coulson family deadpan “Brunk” humor that could make anyone laugh. She had grit and tenacity as she got her BS degree in Human and Family Studies at the University of Nevada in Reno, at the age of 52, after supporting Tim in his DVM, internship and residency and her two children in getting their degrees and pursuing their passions. She lived in nine different states throughout her life and made dear friends wherever she went. 

She always put her family first as they were most important in her life. She was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren and delighted in their presence. Whether it was reading them stories, creating beautiful family Christmas celebrations, playing card games (and not letting them win :-)), to inventing the donut cake in the oven trick. She was their Gram.

 Deb was a warrior. She fought her battle against an aggressive and painful form of multiple myeloma for six long years - enduring treatments and procedures that many would never fathom enduring. And she did it all for more time with her family. We are forever grateful for her fighting spirit and the power of God. For the Lord was her strength and her joy despite all the physical suffering she endured. One of her favorite Bible verses was “(as Jesus said) surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. Our family knows, without any doubt, that Deb is with Jesus now and forever! And that we, as a family of believers in Jesus, will be with her in heaven one day and celebrate our homecoming with her. Deb’s Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 3pm at St. James Church located at 111 West Lake Drive, Athens, GA 30606. Please dress in casual and colorful attire as Deb wants us to celebrate her life. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Deb may be made in support of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University for the purpose of the Multiple Myeloma Fund by visiting together.emory.edu/give and searching multiple myeloma fund or by calling (404) 778-5175. 

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com