Debra Pollard Lalor, born May 23, 1956, passed away on December 9th, 2021. Born in Whitfield, Alabama, Debra was the oldest child of Edward Pollard and Betty Pollard, sister to Jeff Pollard and Melissa Pollard Chambers. She married Bernard E. Lalor on May 26, 1984, their early life together being one of family and travel. Bernie’s military career took him, Debra, and the three children to postings in Colorado, Texas, Germany, and back to Texas again, where Bernie retired in 2001. Her love of travel, curiosity about other cultures, organizational skills, and pragmatic nature were well suited to her life as a military spouse. Ever social, Debra forged bonds of friendship within the military community that lasted her lifetime.
While Bernie served in the Middle East after retirement, Debra was the solo parent of three in Texas and later Georgia. Debra had a great capacity to roll with the vicissitudes of life, accepting whatever came her way with humor and style, which she demonstrated most acutely while raising three strong-willed teenagers under one roof.
Debra was a multifaceted individual. Her talents, keen intellect, and ever-present sense of humor endeared her to the many communities she joined over the years. Her wide-ranging skills served her well in a variety of fields, and ultimately she found her niche in death care, where she made many deep friendships that crossed states and situations. She always seemed to know who to call, no matter what situation arose (though most of the time the person to call was Debra).
Of all the things she had to feel proud, she was most proud of her three children and eight grandchildren. Beyond that, she had a large network of chosen family. Yes, she was a mother, daughter, sister, and friend to many, and she was also a Yaya and Gadel to more than just her family.
Debra’s life was grounded by family, from her early life until her death. She is survived by her husband, Bernard “Bernie” Lalor; son, Sean (Emily) Lalor; son, Justin (Leah) Lalor; daughter, Kaityln (Benji) Aviles; father, Edward Pollard; mother, Betty Pollard; and her eight grandchildren: Asher, Hudson, Hollis, Finley, Sadie, Emerson, Maisie and Ari - who loved and admired her for her great kindness, love of laughter, and independent spirit.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 18, 2021 in the chapel of Whitley Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home in Douglasville, GA. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM the day of the service. Inurnment will immediately follow at Rosehaven Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitleygarner.com for the Lalor family.
