Sandhills_Sentinel

Debra Lynn Walsh, age 61, of Cameron, went to be with her Lord on Friday, November 22, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Debra was the eldest child in a small close knit family. She was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Christian and Janis Mullsteff, and moved a lot as her father finished his education and stint in the army; finally settling in Silver Spring, Maryland.

She graduated from Einstein High School a year early, took some college classes at Montgomery college and worked at numerous jobs including a dentist office, a veterinarian practice, and fast food restaurants. She especially loved working with the senior patients at a nursing home.

She met her future husband at Trolley Car Pizza. They dated for three months and were married by a justice of the peace in Alexandria, Virginia. It was on a Saturday in October, 1978. They went to Kings Dominion for their “honeymoon” and then back to work on Monday. They celebrated their 41st anniversary this year.

Debra loved animals and soon had a pair of Irish Setter puppies. There were always dogs around, usually cats, and a menagerie of other animals.

She loved children and wanted to have a big family; but she never was one to go the traditional route. She had her first child at home with a midwife and worked with midwives for a total of six – three girls followed by three boys. This was her life and love. Faith in God was her guiding light, love of family and of friends was everything else.

Home births led to home schooling. Homeschooling led to 4-H where she shuttled the kids to numerous activities and helped teach and prepare for the county agricultural fairs – Charles County, then St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties; and then of course the Maryland State Fair.

She loved to cook and treasured recipes handed down from her grandparents. She could always be found preparing food in the kitchen at family gatherings.

Church was important and she had a heart for service. Since her children were in the church nursery she naturally volunteered for that duty. As the kids grew she took on teaching in children’s church. They especially loved the Passover meals she made each year for them.

Two of her sons became interested in the military and enlisted so she took on a new mission – Packages for Patriots. She reached out and networked to find out what the deployed troops needed and did fundraising to mail over a hundred care packages a year. At remote forward bases the packages were sometimes air dropped to soldiers. She made more friends and came to deeply appreciate the sacrifices that the soldiers and their families make.

She is survived by her children – Kelly Osburn (Dennis), Bridget Erinn Okorie (Ekene), Meghan Halverson (Travis), Michael Walsh (Linda), Patrick Walsh (Rachel), Kevin Walsh (Brittany); fifteen grandchildren and her father, two brothers and a sister and her husband John.

At the end of a long series of illnesses she finally slept peacefully. As her hands and feet went cold slowly it was as if God was gently lifting her to Him, out of her broken body. She is now rejoicing with her Lord.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Home Care and Hospice, 1791 E. Broad Ave., Rockingham, NC 28379.

Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.

Services will be held at a later date.

The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Vass.

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