Mrs. Debra Debbie Ann Clayton Whitehurst

She was the daughter of George R. Clayton, Sr. and the late Margaret Rosalee Lawrence Clayton, born June 15, 1956 in Leonardtown, Maryland.

Debbie was educated in the St. Mary’s County Parochial and Public School systems. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Elementary Education from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Her goal was to receive her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Debbie was employed as a Special Education Teacher at the Florence Bertell Academy in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Previous employers were, the Department of Labor as a Math instructor at the Woodstock Job Corps Center, in Baltimore, Maryland and Woodland Job Corps Center in Fort Meade, Maryland. She also worked at Potomac Job Corps Center in Washington, D.C. While stationed with her husband in Seoul, Korea, by the United States Army, Debbie was employed by the educational school system and served as an Employment Specialist.

Debbie met the love of her life Bert Davis Whitehurst, Jr., on Morgan State’s campus. They continued their union and married in 1980. From that union there were three children, Bert Davis, III, Jachin Mathias and Justin Nathaniel.

Debbie’s dream was to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. She truly enjoyed helping her students learn. Her method of teaching did not follow the conservative teaching methods. She helped her students learn through music. Music gained their attention. Music made them smile. Music made them happy. If this meant creating a rap song to help them learn their math problems then this is what she did! She made learning once again fun and enjoyable for her students. She constantly talked about her students achievements and always kept in touch even after graduation. Debbie really enjoyed working with her co-workers at Florence Bertell Academy. Debbie felt that the environment was beneficial not only to her professional development, but to her personal development as well. She spoke frequently with kind words about the relationships she had with her co-workers.

Debbie was a caring and passionate wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She loved her family deeply. She was always willing to go the extra mile. She loved holidays and being with family and friends. Most of all, she loved to travel, listening to music and loved to dance. She enjoyed planting plants, writing, bowling, soap operas, the food and house remodeling channels.

Throughout trial and tribulations, Debbie was the mainstay. She was the glue that kept her immediate family to gel together on a continuous basis. Even at the expense of herself. Do you know why? That was Debbie.

Debbie is on another journey full of peace and tranquility. My essence of beauty, my continual love divine.

She leaves to mourn her husband Bert, two sons, Jachin and Justin; her father, George R. Clayton, Sr. (Mary Nellie), one brother, George R., Jr., two sisters, Jane Clayton Bailey (Zane) and Marian Clayton Tanner (Freddie). She also leaves to mourn a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends to numerous to mention. Debbie was preceded in death by her mother Margaret Rosalee, her eldest son, Bert, III and three brothers, Joseph Cornell, Steven James, and Joseph Aloyious.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the phone calls, words of encouragement, support and expressions of love that have been given to us during our time of bereavement. All of your prayers and acts of kindness are appreciated and will forever be remembered. May God bless all of you.

Arrangements under the direction of Fleck Funeral Home Inc., Laurel, MD.