It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Deborah Lassiter Adams, who died peacefully on September 26, 2026, at the age of 75. Deborah was born on April 25, 1951 and lived her life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and friend.

Deborah married her high school sweetheart, Larry Adams, in 1971. Over the next 55 years, they built a beautiful life and family together, raising three daughters and later welcoming six grandchildren who brought her tremendous joy.

Deborah had a lifelong curiosity and a genuine love of learning. She was known to happily sit and read from her prized Encyclopedia Britannica simply because she wanted to know more. She carried that love of learning into every part of her life and instilled it in her children, her students, and later her grandchildren.

Deborah earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from Livingston University in the 1970s. After spending a number of years at home raising her family, she returned to school and earned her master's degree in education from Livingston University, now the University of West Alabama, in 1993.

She went on to devote more than 20 years to education, teaching at Fruitdale, Millry, and McIntosh Elementary Schools. Deborah cared deeply about her students and took great pride in helping them learn, grow, and succeed. Teaching was more than a career to her; it was a natural extension of her curiosity, generosity, and belief in the importance of education.

Deborah found great joy in creating a warm and welcoming home for the people she loved. She was an exceptional cook, and food was one of the many ways she cared for others. Her famous seafood gumbo became a favorite among family and friends. She also loved tending to her garden, filling her yard with flowers and growing summer vegetables that she happily shared with others. Her creative spirit extended to watercolor painting, another pastime she enjoyed throughout the years.

The holidays were a special joy for Deborah, and she had a gift for making them feel magical. She loved preparing beautiful meals, setting festive tables, and decorating her home with thoughtful, personal touches. Christmas was especially dear to her, from the beautifully decorated tree and magnolia greenery gathered from the woods to the personalized ornaments she chose each year for her daughters and grandchildren.

Family was at the center of Deborah's life. She took great pride in her daughters and grandchildren and found tremendous joy in being part of their lives, from the biggest milestones to the ordinary moments in between.

Deborah was preceded in death by her father, Henry Lassiter; her mother, Vernice Brown; her sister, Cynthia Boggs; and her nephew, Wyatt Dearmon.

Deborah is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Adams; her daughters and sons-in-law, Ashley and Jeremy Becton of Millry, Alabama, Dr. Lauren Adams-Kelly and Eric Kelly of Charleston, South Carolina, and India and Adam Sachitano of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; her cherished grandchildren, Estella Becton, Elijah Becton, Giada Sachitano, Tony Sachitano, Ada Mae Kelly, and Edan Adams Kelly; her sisters, Shelah Dearmon and her husband, James DuMont Dearmon of Millry, Monica Ard of Birmingham; step mother Eunice Lassiter and step sister, Keturah Henson both of Millry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Deborah's legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply, the students whose lives she helped shape, and the love of learning she passed on to generations around her. It also lives in the countless memories created around her table, in her garden, during Christmases filled with tradition, and in the everyday moments she made special simply by being there.

A memorial service celebrating Deborah's life will be held at Lathan Funeral Home in Chatom, Alabama on October 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with Bro. Mike Gunn officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a life filled with love, curiosity, dedication, and devotion to family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deborah's memory to the Millry High School Band, care of Millry High School, P.O. Box 65, Millry, Alabama 36558.