Deborah Thompson

Deborah Annetta Thompson (née Simmons) was born on April 3, 1958 in Airy Hall Mahaicony, Guyana, South America to George Joel and Arlene Albertha Simmons. She was the eldest of 11 siblings. While Debbie influenced the lives of her siblings and played a major role in their childhood development, she was also highly involved in community service. Debbie’s loving heart and passion for serving others was consistent throughout her life.

Debbie attended Guyana Oriental College and Simmons Typing and Commercial School, the latter of which her mother founded. With her certification and entrepreneurial passion, Debbie co-founded Spurwing Secretarial School, where she worked to cultivate the lives of her students.

At the age of 18, she met Benjamin Rudyard “Rudy” Thompson, the son of Reverend Cyril Benjamin and Mavis Agatha Thompson. Reverend Thompson served as a staff pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Georgetown, Guyana.

Debbie and Rudy united in marriage on October 28,1978. Of this union, three daughters were born. Debbie gave her life to the Lord in her early 20’s at First Assembly of God in Georgetown and she has served Him with her life.

In 1987, Debbie and Rudy relocated to the United States, residing in New Jersey through the adolescent years of their children. Debbie served in the medical profession as a nursing unit assistant for many years at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.

Along with her professional work, Debbie was a pillar in her church community at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in East Brunswick, New Jersey and Eternal Life Christian Center in Somerset, New Jersey. She faithfully led children’s ministries, youth choirs, Sunday school departments, and organized community outreach events. Known to all as “Sister Debbie,” she inspired the lives of hundreds of children, playing a major role in their early spiritual formation, including instrumentally influencing the lives of her nephews Pastor Jamal Medas of Bridgetown, Barbados and Adrian Williams of Lima, Ohio.

Debbie and Rudy relocated to Central Florida in 2005, where they continued to serve in ministry as children’s pastors at Living Faith Assembly of God in Tampa, Florida. Additionally, Debbie served as the interim children’s pastor at One Church in Lima, Ohio. Debbie and Rudy led a thriving marriage ministry “Forever Marriage” at Reach City Church, Riverview, Florida where she dedicated herself to mentoring young married couples. Debbie was known for her passionate faith, serving fervently as an intercessor, prayer warrior, and altar worker. She could always be found sharing her faith and giving hope to whomever she came in contact.

Debbie received her promotion to heaven on Monday, December 6, 2021. She was surrounded her family at her home in Riverview, Florida. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents George Joel and Arlene Albertha Simmons and three siblings Anthony, Nicholas and Marcia Simmons. Debbie is survived by her husband, Rudy Thompson, her daughters: Marcia Edwards of Orlando, Florida; Althea Thompson of Altamonte Springs, Florida; and Gabrielle Miranda (Edward) of Orlando, Florida; and beloved granddaughter Sariah Edwards. Survived by siblings: Mitchin Simmons of Bridgetown, Barbados; K. Charlene Williams (Darnell) of Lima, Ohio; Shelley Barrow of Toronto, Canada; George Simmons (Sharon) of London, England U.K.; Troy Simmons of Brooklyn, New York, Joel Simmons of Alberta, Canada; sisters in law: Anne Thompson of Georgetown, Guyana, Kathy Henriquo (Darrio) of Georgetown, Guyana, and Lynette Cunha of Georgetown, Guyana. Debbie is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A gathering of family & friends for Deborah will be held Monday, December 13, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Reach City Church, 6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview, FL 33578.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Thompson family.