Deborah Duke Lee

Debbie was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 18, 1951 to Joseph “Earl” and Margaret Duke.

Debbie is survived by her daughters Erin (Martin) Han and Lauren Lee Espinosa; grandchildren Rowen Espinosa, Gavin Han, Norah Han, and Archer Espinosa; brother Mark Duke; sister-in-law Alva Duke; sister-in-law Debi Duke; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents Joseph Earl Duke, Jr. and Margaret Dunn Duke, and her brother Kevin Duke.

Debbie grew up in DeKalb County, graduating from Clarkston High School in 1969 where she was co-captain of the drill team and a talented ballet dancer with the Decatur Civic Ballet.

She was raised in the Church of Christ and attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee for two years before marrying.  Debbie was an “Air Force Wife” for fourteen years and enjoyed seeing different parts of the country.  She made lifelong friends while living in Louisiana and California.

Debbie returned back to the Atlanta area with her daughters in 1986.  She sold World Book Encyclopedias for several years before she began an almost twenty-year career with Carnes Contract Floors in Tucker, Georgia. The Carnes family became a second family to Debbie and her daughters. But Debbie’s main focus was always her family.  She was a single mother and sacrificed a lot for her daughters.  Her support for them had no end.  Debbie was a dedicated grandmother.  She loved playing games and baking treats with her grandchildren.  She was extremely proud of all their accomplishments and supported their many activities and interests.

Debbie was a member of Grace Fellowship Church in Snellville, Georgia.  Her faith was central to everything for which she stood: compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love. You would see these characteristics displayed often when you spoke with Debbie. She was a really good listener.  She was always able to be fully present and listened without judgment, providing great comfort to the people in her life.

Debbie loved hosting family events and preparing delicious meals. She made every holiday or get-together special.  Her happy place was at the beach surrounded by her family.  She also loved visiting Walt Disney World, Washington, D.C., and Europe.

Debbie enjoyed new experiences and fun outings.  She and her daughters regularly attended musicals at The Fox, folk rock concerts, and cultural festivals.  Debbie also loved reading (mystery books), seeing all the Oscar nominated movies at the theater, rooting for the Atlanta Braves, and crossword puzzles.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to Marieta Berar of Senior Home Mission, Agape Hospice Care, and Emory University Hospital for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Senior Home Mission, 1974 Jester Cir, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

A graveside service for Debbie will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, 3000 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084. The family will host a reception from 2:30pm - 4:30 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 3150 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084.

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