Debbie Doyle Wittman

Debbie Doyle was born in Raleigh, NC on June 27, 1951, the only child of Polly and David Doyle. She graduated from Broughton High School and studied Psychology at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, becoming a Bahá’í at ASU in 1970. Debbie married Brian Wittman in February 1977. Their two sons were born in Indianapolis (Barry – 1979) (Jesse – 1982).

Debbie’s travels over the years have taken her to the Bahamas, Panama, El Salvador, Venezuela, Israel, Mexico, France, England, Ireland, Spain, and Germany.

In addition to her roles as daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Debbie’s distinguished Bahá’í service spans more than 50 years as a travel teacher, pioneer, administrator, artist, author, tutor, musician, performer, and children’s class teacher. She served on three Bahá’í Assemblies, the Regional Training Institute Board, the IN-01 Area Teaching Committee, the Indiana Bahá’í Schools Committee, many other committees, and taskforces, and as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board. Debbie travel taught in El Salvador and pioneered briefly to Venezuela, teaching the Faith to the Guajira Indians. She and Brian pioneered to France for two years in 2004. Debbie made pilgrimages to the Bahá’í World Center in 1995 and 2007.

Debbie’s local, national, and international publications include two graphic novels about the Bahá’í Faith. In 2001, Debbie became the first Ruhi tutor in Indianapolis, and she tutored many Ruhi study circles in the subsequent 20 years. She also served as the IN-01 Institute Coordinator in charge of tutor training and development. Debbie did not seek leadership positions but always served when asked.

Debbie’s many interests included natural healing and diet, calligraphy, art and music (especially songwriting and singing), thrifting, reading, classic sci-fi, cooking and baking, and gardening. She was an introverted artist who relied on Brian’s help for the technology aspects of her many projects.

Debbie is survived by husband Brian, sons Barry and Jesse, grandchildren Evren Wittman and Forest Wittman, and daughters-in-law Priya Wittman and Navah Moore.

Visitation will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, US, on August 23, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, US, on August 23, 2026, from 2:00 pm.