Debra Louise Feggans

Debra Louise Feggans, age 68 of Esmont, Virginia, peacefully departed this life, in her beloved home, surrounded by her family, on December 23, 2025. She was born on November 30, 1957, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to the late Clarence Edward Feggans, Jr. and Sarah Frances Simpson Feggans. She was raised with strong values rooted in faith, hard work, and service; principles that guided her throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Sarah Feggans, and her five brothers: George Feggans, Charles Feggans, Hayes Feggans, Emery Feggans, and Adolph Feggans.

Debra was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and a faithful servant of God. Debra leaves to mourn her husband, Tyrone Jenkins of Esmont, Virginia, two children, Ashley D. Watkins (Orlando) of Troy, Virginia and Reginald “Jerome” Toms II (Kate) of Schuyler, Virginia, two step-children, Tyronda Hurley (Ramone) of Hampton, Virginia and TaMarah Jenkins of Louisa, Va. Three beloved grandchildren, Chalais Watkins, Chase Toms and Zavier Watkins, and three step-grandchildren, Tierra Hurley, Jasmine Hurley, and Tatiara Hurley.

She leaves behind two sisters, Carol Patterson of Washington, DC and Vivian Feggans of Esmont, VA, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and dear friends. Special mention is given her nephew, Lindsay Baker, who visited and called Debra and Tyrone often, as well as her two first cousins, Rosa Gaines and Hazel Banks. They spent many days filling Debra’s home with mischievous conversation and heartfelt laughter, as they reminisced about their childhood while she bravely journeyed through this season of life. Their frequent visits and loving presence helped uplift her spirit time and time again.

Debra was beloved by many people, too numerous to name but she leaves two special best friends to mourn her passing: Daisy Toney, and Deborah “Debbie” Green, both of Charlottesville, VA. She also leaves behind a host of other friends too numerous to mention.

Debra received her early education at B.F. Yancey Elementary School in Esmont, VA, and Scottsville Junior High School in Scottsville, VA. She later attended and graduated from Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, VA. Debra had worked summers at what was then the U.S. Foreign Science and Technology Center (FSTC). Filled with a love for children, she enrolled at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Development. Debra hoped to open a day care center, but the demands of adult life led her instead to remain at FSTC, which became the US Dept of Defense National Ground Intelligence Center. She worked her way up from administrative support to the role of Technical Information Specialist (TIS) at NGIC over the course of a dedicated 42-year career. She retired in June 2017, but later returned to NGIC as a contractor, where she continued working until earlier this year, when her illness prevented her from doing so.

She grew up in the community of Esmont, VA at the higher end we called, The Mountain. Her family did not have much in the way of monetary means, but boy did they have love and family. Up on The Mountain, they had a village - Mr. Pressley Wheeler, Cousins George Wheeler and his wife, Alma, Ms. Alice Jordan, Cousin Virginia Bowles, and Uncle Tip, Aunt Ada Feggans Brown, Cousins Lillie and “Doy,” and the Feggans. Every one of those people had a hand in raising Debra. Fun growing up came from exploring The Mountain with sister Heedlee (aka, Vivian), brother Tucker, and little brother Beaver (when he was old enough) -- walking down the Old Road, down to the Quarry, sitting up on The Bank and watching cars go by. Jello with chocolate cake on Sunday afternoons. We all looked forward to Sundays because the afternoons were full of folly and fun, and aunts Cassie and Blanche came for visits. Then, along would come Uncle Lindsay and Aunt “Tea” Feggans with Cousin Lindsay, and the rest of their children.

Debra’s love of God blossomed at an early age. She was baptized as a child in Coopie Paige’s lake in Esmont, Virginia. From a very young age through adulthood, she was a devoted member of New Hope Baptist Church in Esmont, Virginia. Later in life, she left New Hope and became a founding member of The Way of the Cross Baptist Church in Palmyra, Virginia, where she faithfully served under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Nan M. Brown. During her time there, she served in numerous capacities, including Trustee, Church Treasurer, Church Recording Secretary—the diligent note-taker and keeper of church business meeting minutes, Vacation Bible School organizer, Workshop Facilitator for The Way of the Cross Development Corporation’s HIV/AIDS Ministry, and Chair of the Hospitality Committee, among many other roles. Debra was also a devoted member of the Sarah Feggans Memorial Choir (SFMC). She raised her children at The Way of the Cross, where they sang in the Youth Sanctifiers Choir. Debra was a devoted member of The Voices of Unity, at New Green Mountain Baptist Church in Esmont, VA, a choir composed of members from several community churches. She did not waste her voice; instead she used it to sing of the Lord’s goodness and grace. Debra deeply loved both The Voices of Unity and the Sarah Feggans Memorial Choir (SFMC), and she continued to sing with each, for as long as she was able. Debra also loved theatre. She performed in several local Charlottesville, VA and Scottsville, VA stage productions, several that were written and directed by Kelvin Reid of Esmont, VA.

Debra loved her husband and sidekick, Tyrone. They were kindred spirits who had a lot in common: both liked sitting out on the deck, both liked seafood —and would drive all the way to Hampton Roads to get it—both liked football, Debra the Commanders; Tyrone, Chicago. Both were regular customers of nephew Lindsay’s Five and Dime Store, and they both loved family and never hesitated throwing something on the grill or lighting up a fish fry. Oftentimes there were more bodies than could fit in the house, but all the more the fun! Somewhere along the way God placed Tyrone in Debra’s path or Debra in Tyrone’s path. However it was, we know their union of 12 years was filled with love, laughter, family and friends.

Our happiness today, in looking back, is knowing that Debra lived a rich and fulfilling life, enjoying it to the fullest, with not a single day wasted.

~…NOT THE END; BUT A NEW BEGINNING…~