Debra Ann Carson

Debra Ann Carson was born to the late Lillian and Leonza Carson Jr. on April 7, 1964, in Buffalo, New York. She passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York. Debra lived a life marked by creativity, purpose, compassion, and unwavering faith.

Debra was educated in Buffalo, New York, graduating from Bennett High School in 1982. She continued her education at the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Social Work and Criminal Justice in 1986.

After graduation, Debra returned to Buffalo and dedicated her career to working with inner-city youth. She worked for several nonprofit youth programs, including Saint Augustine’s Youth Services, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the youngest supervisor of the Youth Services Department. In this role, she managed an after-school career and educational program for youth ages 12 to 17. She monitored students’ academic progress and counseled them on the importance of continuing their education. She also supervised counselors, instructors, and support staff.

During her time at Saint Augustine’s, Debra earned a Master of Science degree in Social Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1996. She was deeply concerned about the high number of African American students in public schools who were being placed in special education and about the denial and distortion of their culture, which she believed could contribute to inaccurate assessments and create an inappropriate foundation for their education. As a result, she chose to study this issue as part of her master’s thesis. Her thesis was titled, “A Study Depicting the Trend of African Americans’ Enrollment in Special Education Classes During 1984–1995 in the Elementary Schools in Buffalo, New York.”

After 10 years at Saint Augustine’s, Debra moved to the Buffalo Urban League, Inc., where she led career exploration activities for youth ages 14 to 17. She arranged guest presenters from various professional fields, organized educational field trips and job-shadowing opportunities, and prepared young people for the “world of work.”

In 2001, Debra moved to Vestal, New York, and began working at the Broome County Urban League, Inc. as the Director of Education. She supervised program staff who were directly involved with educational programs, ensured that youth programs were operating appropriately and meeting city, state, and federal funding requirements, and assisted with writing grants to secure funding and identify new sources of support.

In 2004, Debra became the Site Manager with Paxen Group, Inc. She helped establish a new youth program in the Binghamton area called “About Face.” The program was designed to provide job-readiness and career-seeking skills to young people ages 14 to 18. Her primary responsibilities included developing the processes and procedures necessary to establish and operate the program.

Approximately two years later, Debra became the Manager of Employment and Career Services at the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. There, she provided job-readiness services, prevocational training, and employment placement assistance to consumers aged 14 and older who were visually impaired or blind.

After working in the rehabilitation community, Debra was approached about an upcoming opportunity with the New York State Department of Education’s Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) – Vocational Rehabilitation. She applied, interviewed, and was offered the position of Workforce and Development Relations Representative/Employment Specialist in Binghamton. In this role, she assisted with the development and implementation of employment marketing activities designed to expand and expedite job opportunities for ACCES consumers.

After three years in this position, Debra realized that she had found a new career calling. She returned to school and earned another master’s degree, this time in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2016.

Debra continued working in the rehabilitation field, serving for five years as an Intermediate Care Facility Supervisor at Catholic Charities. In this role, she oversaw a 24-hour residential facility for adults with moderate to profound disabilities.

In 2018, Debra became the Director of Employment Services at ACHIEVE, a position she greatly enjoyed. She managed a team of Job Coaches and Professional Employment Specialists who were responsible for ensuring that the most efficient and appropriate employment placements were made for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

Debra’s work was not merely employment—it was a major expression of who she was. She spent her career helping young people, people with disabilities, and people seeking opportunities. Her work reflected her compassion, her commitment to service, and her desire to help others build better lives. Her legacy of service and compassion will live on in the many lives she touched.

Faith and Service

Faith was the cornerstone of Debra’s life. She accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at Second Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Buffalo at the age of nine. From childhood through young adulthood, she was an active member of the Youth and Young Adult Choirs.

Upon moving to Vestal, Debra quickly found a church home at Beautiful Plains Baptist Church, where she faithfully put her leadership gifts to work. She served on the Vacation Bible School Planning Team each summer and worked as the Church Clerk.

After 11 years, Debra began searching for a new church home and joined Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Arthur W. Jones Jr. She enjoyed attending services at Mt. Sinai, sang in the choir during certain events, and served on the Finance and Hospitality Committees.

Debra’s love for God was evident in her service to others, as well as in the spiritual strength and compassion she shared with those around her. Her gentle spirit touched countless lives. She had a special connection with children in both Buffalo and Binghamton. Whenever a young person saw Debra, they would often run up to her and give her a hug, calling her “Ms. Debra,” “Auntie Debra,” or simply “Debra.” And when their conversation ended, they would often say, “I love you!”

Those Left to Cherish Her Memory

Debra was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Wanda Davis, who remained an important and cherished part of her life and memories.

Debra is survived by her loving son, Jamal Jadan Graham, and her sister, Dr. Yolanda Carson, both of Vestal, New York; dear friend, Bishop James Graham of Endicott, New York; her brother-in-law, Oscar Davis; her nephew, Oscar Dejuan Davis Jr.; and her nieces, Arielle Davis and Nailya Davis, all of Las Vegas, Nevada.

She is also survived by her nieces Lashe Hanks, Chane Hanks, and Azhane Hanks of Binghamton, New York; Ms. Edna Sanders, grandmother of Debra’s son, Jamal, of Endicott, New York; Tequilla Graham, sister of Debra’s son, Jamal, of Charlotte, North Carolina; her niece, Aisa Johnson, and her nephews, Anthony Johnson and Quan Simmons, all of Endicott, New York; and her nieces Yasmeen (MeMe) Washington and Tkeyah (KeKe) Graham, and her nephew, Stukes Lemon the 4th, all of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Debra also leaves behind her devoted cousins, Judy Hall of Washington, D.C.; Nina Albritton of Boston, Massachusetts; Tyrone Woods of Hampton, Virginia; Lillian Tolbert of Birmingham, Alabama; and Christopher Grant of Raleigh, North Carolina, along with a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Debra will be remembered for her love of family, her dedication to service, and her steadfast faith. Her kindness, guidance, and compassion will continue to shine through the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Services

Funeral services for Debra will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at First Christian Church, 121 Madison Avenue, Endicott, New York 13760. Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.