It has been many years since I worked with Debbie at Walmart and was shocked to learn of her passing.  What an amazing kind, talented lady.  It was a joy to work with her.  My sincere sympathy to her family.  I know she will be dearly missed.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Debbie's passing and offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. During my tenure in the infant department at Walmart Corporate in the early 90s, I had the privilege of working alongside Debbie, who was an exceptional mentor and outstanding leader. Her remarkable intelligence, kindness, and generosity of spirit earned her the admiration of all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

Jim and Family, I am so sorry to learn of Debbie’s passing.  I had so much respect and appreciation for her.  May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you all during this most difficult time.  🙏🏼

My heart and my prayers go out to all the family. I always enjoyed working with her especially traveling with her.  We started out as colleagues, but became friends. She was truly one of a kind and will be so missed. So glad that her pain is gone.

Debbie was smart, authentic, engaging and supportive of colleagues and friends.  I am very sad she is gone.  
Shannon Letts

Love Debbie! Such a loving and caring person.
~ Tracy Baker

I first met Debbie when we were competitors in the Beauty business. When I later joined Walmart, Debbie became my mentor, friend and go to person.  She was so generous to me with her time and helped me find my place at Walmart.  She was a wonderful person and so respected and loved by so many.  She will be missed greatly!  My thoughts prayers for her family.  

Anne Marie Kehoe

I first met Debbie in the late 1990’s in the infant’s department. I learned a lot from Debbie, she was very good at whatever she did. Later, she hired me as a buyer in Cosmetics. In that position, we traveled the world, a couple of times to Europe and a number of trips to China. I remember one of those trips to China, we were all on an early flight out of XNA, faced with literally 24 hours of air travel to get there, and Debbie had not made it to the plane. They actually were holding the flight for her.  At the last second, she walked onto the plane, looking a bit disheveled. It was very early, still dark outside. She had wrecked her car on the way to the airport. It had rolled and was totaled.  She was complaining about the stuff in her purse still being in the ditch as it all had spilled out! I tried to convince her not to go, if she had any sort of concussion, it could get serious on the long flight to Asia. She would hear none of it and went anyway! She was very driven.  Many have talked about her passion for shopping, and the trips to Asia always included visits to the “mall” in Shenzhen.  I remember one trip to the mall with Debbie and all the female buyers we worked with and they were buying scarves in a small shop. We were there for what seemed like hours as they all negotiated over these scarves.  The negotiations boiled down to pennies difference, and finally they came to agreement.  I made the comment “we just spent more time negotiating $40 worth of scarves than we will on the $200 million in import goods” which of course wasn’t entirely true, but we all had a great laugh!  Anyway, Debbie was a great boss, she gave me a lot of freedom but held me accountable for results.  I worked harder for Debbie than anyone because I never wanted to disappoint her.  She will be greatly missed. Very sad to hear of her passing.

I worked with Debbie for many years. She was a good person and hard worker. I really respected and trusted her to always do the right thing. She is in heaven now gracing our Father.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times. 


Connie Watson DC6013

I’m heartbroken to hear about Debbie’s passing. She was not only a mentor to me early in my career but an incredible friend. She had such a generous and loving heart. She will be missed more than works can say. Praying for peace for Jim, Natalie and Nicholas.

Lots of love,
Natalie Harrington

Sharing stage with Debbie was always a hoot!  She had the virtue to make everyone around her feel welcomed and at ease.  

Her family was her biggest pride and she was always generous with her time. 

I am blessed for the moments shared and will greatly miss her.  

Deepest condolences,

Cecilia Gaye-Schnell

Rest in Peace Debbie.
I too had the privilege of working with Debbie at Walmart in the Baby Department.  She had an infectious laugh and was always smiling.
Her positive attitude was an inspiration to many of us especially when things were tough.
I thought I was a shopper until one trip to China with Debbie.  She not only out shopped me be was also searching for the right piece to bring home to all her friends and family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Susan Patrick

I worked with Debbie in 1994 and 1995. We were partners in the baby department buying all of the Hardlines for D26. She and I spent so many hours together strategizing how to solve some crazy issues around inventory, margin and just navigating Walmart merchandising. We (along with the D26 softlines buyers) were awarded buyers of the year in 1995. It was an honor to work with Debbie. 

Her generosity always stood out to me. She had a gift of recognizing needs that people around her had and she took it on herself to solve those needs freely giving of herself and her time, talents and resources. 

She loved big and it was obvious to me how much she adored her husband Jim.  I cherish my memories of Debbie. Rest in peace dear friend.

Debbie,
You will be missed. Always ready to share a laugh. you were the heart of Walmart. I remember sitting in your office having some Ding Dongs. Talking about your travels. "Going to miss a very fine lady"
Donna Myers
Walmart Print Solutions

Jim, Natalie and Nicholas

I had the good fortune to know your mom and work directly with her for a few of my years at Walmart.
I made my first trip to China/Hong Kong with her and Yale Martin and then a few more trips after that.
She loved to shop!! I got to experience buying so many interesting things and helping her bring back gifts not only for the both of you but also your class mates.
She was so much fun to travel with and I learned  and laughed so much!  
She fought for what was right and I know she was so incredibly proud of you both!

Cherish all the memories and stories that I know so many will share and know that she will be missed but has also left many good memories behind

My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Kerri Hoffine

Trunk or Treat at the Children’s Shelter, 2021.  Debbie, Tresa, Karolynn (Daphne) and Natalie (Velma).  Chip is Scooby Doo!    We had the best time!  One of my favorite memories.

I knew Debbie in the mid 90’s as a buyer in the Walmart Kids division.  She was the large furniture buyer.  I was a new junior buyer in the division. She really took me under her wing and was a friend and mentor. Her laugh was infectious and nothing seemed to be insurmountable to her.  Always professional and always kind and caring with others.  My memories are all wonderful of Debbie. She always spoke lovingly of her husband Jim who she obviously adored.  God bless her family and friends at this time.  She has left us far too early.  Her legacy of warmth and caring for others above all else in this life will be remembered.

Natalie and Karolynn; forever friendship fostered by Debbie.

My heart is broken.  I was Debbie's assistant at Walmart for several years.  She was the best leader and friend I could have ever asked for.  She had a big heart that cared for me and my family.   My family loved her.  She would come over to my house when my parents came to town to visit with them.   She would show up at my door carrying a bag full of food...just because.   She never forgot a birthday or holiday...always bearing gifts. She traveled Internationally with her work and would order custom made clothes for me --  beautiful leather jackets, suits, etc.    I can still hear her voice and laugh.   We lost a jewel here on this earth.

My condolences to the family. She was a wonderful person whose legacy of respect and love for associates will continue to inspire us all. 

We will always remember you!

Words alone cannot describe Debbie Hodges. She and I have been close for several years, and in that time, she became more than just a friend to me.  She had an amazing perception of how my daughter and her daughter needed each other, and it was astounding to witness. She brought two people together that truly needed each other, and for that, I am forever grateful.

We laughed, cried, worked, and spent a lot of time together. Debbie had a unique ability to light up a room and make everyone feel at ease. She brought joy and warmth to all our lives.

Through thick and thin, Debbie was always there. She taught me so much about what is important in life, as she did for so many others. Her support never wavered, and it meant the world to me.

My love, respect, and closeness to Debbie are hard to describe. She touched our lives in such profound ways that my heart is broken as there will never be another Debbie.

Rest well, my friend. I look forward to the day we meet again. Your memory will always be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew you.

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie's family during this difficult time. I had the privilege and honor of getting to know Debbie through our mentor sessions. The first time I met Debbie she had commented on my shoes and how cool they were, she noticed everything. She always made you feel like you were seen and special. I am thankful that I got to build a relationship with her, she has truly made an impact on every person that she met. She will truly be missed.

DC 6001 Family. 
Our  thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow following the loss of your wife Debbie. We would like to wish you comfort during this difficult time, and our  deepest sympathies go to you and your family.
Wishing you courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to hold in your heart forever.” “We stand with you during this difficult time and offer our support in any way that we can.” Celebrating the life of a great person.” Someone so special can never be forgotten.” With deepest sympathy as we remember Deborah Hodge .

 From DC 6001 Family.

OBITUARY

Deborah Eileen Kimrey-Hodges

3 July, 1963 – 10 March, 2025

Rollins Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services