Deborah Lynn Guess

Deborah Lynn Guess, 65, of Jacksonville, passed away on July 13, 2022. She was born in Deland, Florida on March 25, 1957 to the proud parents of Robert Horace Haynes and Dorothy Lambing Haynes. Deborah graduated from Taylor High School and received a Bachelors Degree in Art History from the University of North Florida. She was married to John Guess on December 4, 1975 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Seville.

She first joined NATS-National Association of Teachers of Singing, as office manager in 1997 and was later appointed director of operations in 2006. In her role as director of operations, Deborah was responsible for a variety of tasks, including the planning of the biennial NATS conferences, yearly workshops, and board meetings.

She had more than 30 years of experience in event and business management, as well as accounting. Before joining NATS, she held the position of public relations director at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, and before that served as assistant to the director of the Technology Resource Center at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida, assisting with grant writing, promotions of events and computer training for other staff members. She also served as a teaching assistant at the University of North Florida and did several research internships at the Cummer Art Museum (in Jacksonville) and the St. Augustine Historical Society, in St. Augustine, Florida.

Guess was a magna cum laude graduate, she was also was a lifetime member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Theta Kappa, and MPI. She held an Associate of Arts degree in accounting and certification in volunteer management, internal revenue income tax law, business management and graphic design. She served on the Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church and several local charitable organizations.

Deborah had a passion for taking care of people, and lived by the golden rule. She enjoyed hanging out with friends and family in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and Maggie Valley, NC and playing with her pet cats over the years. Sasha, Peepers, Felix, and the newest addition a couple years back Izzy. She also loved going to Disney. Minnie Mouse, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh were some of her favorite characters.

She was survived by daughter, Mandy Elizabeth Ruddock and husband John Guess, both from Jacksonville, and two brothers Bobby Haynes and Russell Haynes, from Seville. She is also survived by nephews Justin, Cody, and SJ; nieces Lindsey, Holly, and Lauren including their spouses and children.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to NATS in memory of Deborah Guess. To contribute, please click on this link.

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/DeborahGuess

Also, Trinity United Methodist Church in Seville. Send her name and donation to the church in her loving memory.

A visitation for Deborah will be held Monday, July 25, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens, 1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. A funeral service will occur Monday, July 25, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, 1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. A committal service will occur Monday, July 25, 2022 from 11:45 AM to 12:00 PM at Lee Kirkland Cemetery, 2-30 Penman Road South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com for the Guess family.