Deborah Elaine (Gentry) Wiley

Mrs. Deborah “Debbie” Elaine Gentry Wiley, 70, of Efland, NC, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2023, at Duke University Medical Center. Debbie was born on February 22, 1953, in Alamance County, NC to the late Johnnie Vester Gentry and Barbara Montgomery Gentry.

Debbie graduated from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. She furthered her education years later, earning a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also achieved National Board Certification. Over her 37 year career in Alamance and Orange counties, Debbie made a huge impact in the lives of many children, as well as serving as an advocate for their families.

After retirement Debbie and her husband, Larry, logged thousands of miles in their RV.  One of the most memorable was a trip across the United States, traveling in a caravan of friends that included her special sister-in-law, Jean Jones and her husband, Bobby.  Debbie’s loved ones will remember her ability to plan every detail of these trips. She loved spending time with her friends and family while camping at Hyco Lake, Myrtle Beach and Fort Fisher NC. She loved to fish and search for seashells with her grandchildren, niece and nephew on the beach. There were fun family trips to the mountains that were enjoyed by all.  Debbie and Larry also spent many winter months in Florida with friends. Throughout her life, Debbie was a talented artist and amazing cook who loved to bless her family with her generosity. She displayed many talents including painting, drawing, and decorating. She also shared her teaching abilities by teaching Sunday School and was involved with Vacation Bible School at Breakthrough Community Church. Debbie was strong in her Christian faith, which guided her through her 5 year battle with ovarian cancer. She will be forever missed by all who loved her.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Larry Franklin Wiley, of the home; her daughter, Kristen Covington Bowden (Jeremy) of Haw River; a son, Brent Wiley (Ashley) of Hillsborough; step daughter, Jamie Walker (JJ) of Graham; her sister, Karen Gentry (Clint) of White Lake, NC; her grandchildren, Garrett, Hailey and Tanner Bowden, all of Haw River; Dean, Jonathan and Maggie Wiley, all of Hillsborough; Jocelyn Stanfield (TJ), of Graham and Jaylen Walker, of Graham; and her very special niece and nephew, Will and Reese Hester, of White Lake, NC who were thought of as grandchildren by her. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday July 14, 2023, at Breakthrough Community Church at 703 S. Third Street in Mebane with Pastor Aaron Powers officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Duke Division of Gynecologic Oncology

Duke University Medical Center

PO Box 3097

Durham, North Carolina 27710

Memorials may also be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

McClure Funeral Service in Mebane is assisting the family.