Debra Jeannene (Buchanan) Hughes

Debra Jeannene Buchanan Hughes, 47, of Spruce Pine was granted her angel wings the morning of April 9^th, 2013 by her loving Savior.     

 Debra had a huge heart and personality that made everyone that knew her laugh. She never met a stranger and would light up a room with her wonderful stories and sense of humor.

Debra was born on June 18^th, 1965 to Jerry and Juanita Buchanan. She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1983. She was employed by the Avery County Extension Office as a county 4-H agent for more than 18 years. She founded the Avery County After School Program and the Avery WOW Program. Debra worked along side the Avery Co School System providing school enrichment programs for Avery County youth. She sat on many committees within the county and was a member of the North Carolina State 4-H Program Association. For many years she directed the  

4-H  Talent Show at the Avery Co A&H Fair. Debra had a passion and love for children and the 4-H program and promoted them at every opportunity. She touched the lives of countless children as they also touched her life. Debra was also a member of the McKinney Cove Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Sam and Myrtle Buchanan and her maternal grandparents, Joe and Geneva Grindstaff; and her father in law, Robert “Bob” Hughes.

Debra is survived by her loving husband, David Hughes of Spruce Pine; her parents, Jerry and Juanita Buchanan of Bakersville; her daughters, Courtney Hughes Craig and husband Caleb of Greenwood, Ind., Whitney Hughes of Spruce Pine and Brittney Hughes of Lenior, NC; her sons: Thomas, Jordan and Dustin Hughes of Lenior, Tyreece Hughes of Spruce Pine and the light of her life, her autistic son Nathan Ballard of the home;  several grandchildren plus one on the way; her sister, Sherrie Garland and husband, Kenny of Bakersville; her mother in law, Wilma Hughes of Bakersville and a host of friends that will always cherish her friendship including special friend, Charlie Blankenship who cared for her special needs son Nathan, and brought joy into her family’s lives; and last but not least, her best friend for 37 years, Renee Boyd Gouge of Bakersville.

Funeral services will be held at 8:00 pm Saturday, April 13^th, 2013 in the Chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home with Pastor Todd Ayers officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be 3:00 pm Sunday in the McKinney Cove Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Avery County 4-H Club, c/o Avery County Center, 805 Cranberry St., Newland, NC 28657 or The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 312 North Eugene Street, Suite D, Greensboro, NC 27401.

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