Deborah Anne Kelley Chase, 68 of Kinston went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 24, 2023, peacefully at her home.

A funeral service will be conducted Monday, August 28, 2023, at 11AM at People Free Will Baptist Church, 3038 US-258 Kinston, NC 28504. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Deborah was born in Kinston to Larry Delois and Gladys Blalock Kelley on June 15, 1955. She graduated from South Lenoir in the Class of 1974 and furthered her education at Lenoir Community College with an associate degree in business administration. In the year after graduation Deborah started her first job working for Kinston Free Press and she married the love of her life Virgil Chase that same year. They welcomed their son Todd on December 1, 1980, and later welcomed their daughter Lisa, June 11, 1983. Deborah started working for the Lenoir Co. Dept. of Social Services until her retirement in 2017. Deborah became “Mema” in 2004 and her family continued to grow with 5 wonderful grandchildren who were the love of her life. Deborah enjoyed life and her favorite past time was spending time with her family.

Deborah is survived by her husband of 47 years, Virgil Elmer Chase; son, Todd Chase (Misty); daughter, Lisa Anne Chase Pratt; grandchildren, David Wayne Pratt Jr., Hunter Blake Pratt, Lindsey Faith Chase, Zackery Todd Chase, and Taylor Nicole Chase; sister, Doris Irene Kelley Tolar of Abington Va.;nephews, Kenny Sutton, Timmy Sutton, Robert Tolar, Paul Tolar; nieces, Donna Tolar Jarvis of Abington Va., Kelley King of Kinston; and special sister in laws and brother in laws.

Deborah is preceded in death by her father, Larry D. Kelley; stepfather, Milton “Bill” Casper; mother, Gladys Irene Kelley Casper; and her sister, Peggy Kelley Sutton.

Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.