“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.… Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
-Proverbs 31:10; 28
Ila Deborah “Dr. Deb” Schatzline went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2020 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama having lived a life full of love, courage and a passion to see as many people as possible come to know Jesus. Dr. Deb was born in Helena, Alabama on February 14, 1951. Her Valentine’s Day birth was so fitting and was a foreshadowing of all the love she would pour into everyone she encountered.
When they were just fourteen and fifteen years old, Dr. Deb met the love of her life: Dr. Patrick M. Schatzline at Lincoln Park Skating Rink in Michigan. She was a cheerleader at Taylor High School and he played football at Lincoln Park High School. It quickly became apparent that they were destined to be together forever. The lifelong sweethearts were married on March 17, 1967. She had a deep, unwavering love for her “Pattie,” and she was his “Darling.” Dr. Deb received Jesus into her heart at Eureka Church of the Nazarene in 1974. She spent the majority of her life along with her husband ministering the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Together they planted over forty churches in China, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Korea and the United States. She was a powerful encourager, educator and teacher of the Bible in New Zealand. In her early years of ministry, she worked at Bill’s Dollar Store, a pants factory and Gardendale Flowers to assist in supporting her family. She also worked in a doctor’s office performing the duties of a nurse. She was loved and known as a “Rescuer of People.” It was not uncommon for her to bring someone in need home with her and Pat never knew who was going to be in the home when he got there! She was the ultimate giver—buying for others and even using her own credit card to make sure that people in need had groceries. She always put others first. When Dr. Deb made a friend, she never gave up on them. They were lifetime friends. She always sent special, thoughtful gifts and special cards to all those she loved. She cherished memories and kept every special card, letter and knick-knack. Her curio cabinets are full of precious memories. Some of her favorites included Elvis, the Wizard of Oz and she loved the Home Shopping Network! Dr. Deb was an inspiration to so many, and an example of how hard work, determination and reliance on Jesus can carry you to pursue the dreams in your heart. Dr. Deb received her Graduation Equivalency Diploma after becoming a grandmother and then went on to receive her Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate of Theology. By far, anyone who knew Dr. Deb would say that her strongest trait is unconditional love. She had a love for people, for Jesus and also for her sweet furbaby girls Gracious and Peace.
Dr. Deb is preceded in death by her grandfather James Lowery, her grandmother Uriel Hazareth Lowery, her mother Mary L. Farmer, her daddy Auburn Elton Farmer, her daughter Alicia Renee’ Schatzline Smith, and her brother Jimbo Adkins. She is survived by her loving husband Dr. Patrick M. Schatzline, her dad Willis Arnold Adkins, her brothers Elton Randy Farmer, Gary Adkins and Billy Adkins, her children Patrick H. (Karen) Schatzline, Scott S. (Kristi) Schatzline, Benjamen (Julie) Rodriguez, Jane Munga, Vernadine (Kelvin) Schatzline and Michael (Raquel) Guyse, her grandchildren Nate (Adrienne) Schatzline, Abby Schatzline, Gabrielle Smith, Hannah Smith, Ethan (Alejandra) Schatzline, Noah (Emily) Schatzline, Isaiah (Kelsie) Schatzline, Destiny Schatzline, Isabella Rodriguez, Ana Rodriguez, Sofia Rodriguez, Acelyn Rodriguez, Steve Allen, Chris Allen, Kristi Schatzline, Keithan (Danielle) Carroll, Sarah (Thomas) Thompson Pero, Mat Belote and Dee Hamner, her great-grandchildren Jack Schatzline, Andy Schatzline, Ashton Smith, Nehemiah Carroll and Ava Pero as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and spiritual sons and daughters from all over the world. Two and a half years ago, she and Dr. Pat were also blessed with a beautiful angel named Georgia Leatherwood who came into their life and took wonderful care of them in their home.
Her Celebration of Life as well as the repast are being held at Daystar Family Church in Northport, Alabama. Her funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home in Northport, Alabama, with the internment at Sunset Memorial Park in Northport, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that anyone who would like to contribute please donate funds to Daystar Ministries International by utilizing the CashApp handle $BishopPatDMI. Dr. Deb’s family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, prayers and support. It has been so beautiful to see how she impacted so many lives over the years. Your love and honor for Dr. Deb have been such a strengthening force during this time. As Mom, Nana, Dr. Deb would always say, “All is well. 2 Kings 5:22.”
“She was always my girlfriend for over fifty-five years.”
-Dr. Patrick M. Schatzline
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