Deborah Faye Lathrop

PEKIN ~ Deborah Faye (McGrew) Lathrop, 65, of Pekin, passed away and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at her residence. Her struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is finally over.

Born on March 15, 1958 in Peoria, she was the daughter of Charlotte Faye (Mauerman) Knupp and James Clark McGrew, II. She married Brad Randall Lathrop on May 26, 1979 in Peoria. She was born again into the family of God on January 24, 1980, in Pekin.

Surviving are her husband of Pekin; her only child, Austin Randall Lathrop of Dallas, Texas; her brother, James (Ann) McGrew of Morton and a sister, Janae (Kendra) Henson of Normal. Also surviving are many nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces.

Her greatest ministry was that of wife, homemaker and mother. She was an active and involved member of Faith Baptist Church in Pekin. She was a past president of the Faith Baptist Ladies’ Fellowship and actively attended state retreats and spoke several times as a workshop leader. She was former chairman of the church deaconesses and a former church clerk. She taught in junior church for 30 years and was a bus captain for 17 years. She loved maintaining the church missionary closet.

Her funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Faith Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Timothy P. Collard and Pastor Chip Herbert will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2024 at Hirstein Cemetery in Morton. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, it was Debbie’s request for memorial contributions to be made to the endowment fund of Faith Baptist Christian School, 1501 Howard Court, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com