Debra Oakley

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Debra Oakley, 73, passed away on Sunday April 7, 2024 surrounded by her family.  She was the daughter of the late Bethel “Bill” and Jacqueline Oakley. Debra’s daughters and family have always described her as having one of the biggest hearts (figuratively and more recently,  literally). She loved big and made others around her feel special. Debra was full of life and could often be found shagging at the beach, racing go karts, or attending ECU football games with Rick. One of her greatest joys was being a “MeMe” to Collins and a “MiMi boo boo” to Vivi. She loved spoiling her girls and using her imagination to make the regular things in life seem extraordinary to them. Debra always looked at the bright side of things.  She loved everyone around her as she would say, “to the moon and back” and has finally found her forever better day.  She is survived by her daughters, Kim Bonk (Walter), Lisa Allred (Donnie); grand children, Collins Pore, Viviana Bonk, Austin Allred; sister, Myra Wade (Jerry); her significant other of 18 years, Rick Gilmore and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.  Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Carol Robertson and a brother-in-law Brian Robertson. The family will receive friends on Thursday April 11, 2024 at McClure Funeral Service in Graham from 6pm-8pm and at other times at the home of Kim and Walter Bonk.  A funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday April 12, 2024 in the McClure Funeral Chapel in Graham.  The burial will follow in Mt. Adar Baptist Church Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/

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