Deborah Kaye Ferris Hornburg, of Summit, KY, was promoted to the alto section of her Heavenly Father’s Choir on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Debbie was born November 29, 1951, in Nitro WV, to the late Orville B. Ferris and Ruby May McCune Ferris. In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by one brother, Steve Ferris.
Debbie graduated from Nitro High School in 1969 and went to Appalachian Bible Institute for two years, then transferring and graduating from Southland Bible Institute. Upon graduation from SBI She became the school secretary. When SBI moved from Pikeville to Ashland, Debbie continued as school secretary and began teaching music and directing its ensembles. In 1979 Debbie became a member of Temple Baptist Church, in Flatwoods, KY. For most of her years at TBC until her cancer would no longer allow her to serve. She was a Sunday school teacher, church pianist, church secretary, worked in VBS and camp. She started and directed the Patch the Pirate Club for almost 30 years, where she touched the hearts and lives of many young people with the Bible and good Christian music, but Debbie’s biggest joy was directing the church choir. From her preparation in picking out music to the practices, to singing of the music, Debbie loved serving the Lord through her musical abilities. Debbie was given one of the highest honors a person could receive in this lifetime when one of her choir members stated “We so appreciate what Debbie has done for the choir. You never had to worry about the music you were going to be singing, because it was all going to be God honoring music”.
Those left to cherish Debbie’s memory are her husband of 45 years, Gary L. Hornburg; one daughter, Maribeth (Shannon) Hausey; four sisters, Shirley (Jim) Harkness, Denise –Ferris (HC) Vick, Dorcas (Steve) Losh, Dorthea Wyant; sister-in-law, Janice (George) Givens; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Debbie’s life will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at Temple Baptist Church with words of comfort provided by Rev. Jim Pridemore. Entombment will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Temple Baptist Church Camp Fund, 124 Reid St, Flatwoods, KY, 41139; or to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave. Ashland, KY, 41101.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Steen Funeral Homes.
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