Debbie Hampton

A painter, writer, and free spirit, Debbie, or “Doobie” as her friends called her, was a living representation of her favorite quote. Debbie was always there for those in need, from the smallest act of lending an open ear, to the immeasurable gift of life through organ donation. More than four lives will be saved by Debbie’s sacrifice, but those lives aren’t the only ones that will be forever changed by her shining light.

My sister was a warrior, she gave people strength that needed it, held strangers that were hurting, always knew what to say.

A mother who sat up all night with a baby on her knees because she had trouble breathing raised a girl who speaks her truth. A father who waited in the pool for his little girl with outstretched arms raised a daughter that knew he’d always be there to catch her. Sisters who were always there to remind each other they were never alone.

They lost a best friend Monday night. I lost my best friend, my sissy. If Debbie were here she’d be telling me to pull it together because this moment will pass. Debbie always knew what to say to me, even if I didn’t always know what to say to her. Sometimes she didn’t even have to speak to brighten someone’s day. Like when, at two years old, Debbie streaked through Disney World drawing laughter from her family and strangers alike. “It doesn’t matter how you do it, do it different than anyone else,” she would say, and from her first day on earth up to her last, Debbie never failed to do things her own way.

Debbie wouldn’t want to be remembered by her birthday, or where she went to high school. She would want to be remembered by her eyes, her beautiful blue eyes that held hopes of the future, looked at things with a different view. Dark red hair that fell softly around her features, a smile that made her eyes disappear, and a laugh that bellowed from god knows where. Ulta lost a loyal customer; they may even go out of business. I always told her she didn’t need makeup, and she would say “you don’t need a bra but it makes you feel better.”

My mom used to tickle our backs and sing us “You are my Sunshine” to help us sleep. On the night my sister’s spirit left her body you could hear my mother’s voice from the hospital curtain, “you’ll never know dear how much I love you; please don’t take my sunshine away.” Special thanks to the nurses Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center, especially nurses, Desi and Kris. They treated Debbie like their own daughter and treated her with loving tenderness. The service will be a celebration of life, so wear bright colors Sunday, February 18th at 2pm at North Pointe Christian Church, located at 1506 Bannerman Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312. In lieu of flowers we ask donations to be made to our family supported charity, Guardian Ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit. PO Box 3992, Tallahassee, Florida, 32315.

She is survived by her mother and father, Cody and Kathleen Hampton, sister, Kathryn Fisher, husband, Michael and niece, Marion Rose, grandparents, John and Lynda Moore and Jack and Corky Hampton. Her uncle and aunts, Shawn Lewers and Deborah Moore, Elizabeth Storms, Bob and Lori Fink, and Chris and Annie Hampton. Cousins, Liam Caffrey, John Storms, Shelby (Walt) Cunningham, Kristy Shear, and Colby and Dylan Hampton.

Arrangements under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Homes & Memorial Park, Tallahassee, FL.