Deborah J. Brunner passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Georgia on March 18, 2023. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 21, 1946.
She was predeceased by her parents Frederick L. and Grace Heller, sister Judith Godwin, brother Paul Heller and honorary uncle George Beverly Shea of the Billy Graham Crusades.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years Robert R. Brunner, Jr. and three children Susan Hemenway, Stephen Hemenway (Shannon), and Jennifer Simon (Douglas); three grandchildren Jenna and Andrew Hemenway and Madelyn Simon; and brother Neil Heller (Cora).
Debbie was “Daddy’s Little Girl”. After her father got a job at NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida, he moved his family from Illinois to Cocoa Beach, Florida. Debbie graduated from Cocoa High School in 1964. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend to all who knew her. Her laugh was full of joy. Debbie loved her Savior Jesus Christ and her family. Her love was unlimited and she was a faithful prayer warrior. She read the Bible through multiple times during her lifetime. She faithfully expanded her religious education by taking Bible studies and courses on counseling women who were experiencing difficulties with life’s challenges. She was a Christian example to others. Debbie became an account clerk with the City of Norfolk Paramedical Rescue Services. It was decided that she would leave work and be a stay at home mother to her children. Her greatest joy was watching her children grow into successful adults and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dr. Daniel Davey will conduct a Homecoming Service at Colonial Baptist Church located at 2221 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, Virginia on Friday, March 24th. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am and the service at 11:30 am. She will be buried at Rosewood Memorial Park near her parents.
