Deborah Alison Williams

Deborah Alison Harkey Williams, age 71, of Mooresville, NC, passed away on April 1, 2022, in Mooresville, NC after battling a long-term illness. She was born October 5, 1950, in Charlotte, NC, daughter of Horace Jenkins Harkey and Doris Polk Harkey.

 In her teen years she and her friends danced on the Jimmy Kilgo Hour program produced in Charlotte.  It was a local version of the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand show.  After graduating from Garinger High School she attended Central Piedmont Community College where she was elected “Miss CPCC” in 1969.  She was also on the Cheer Squad for the American Basketball Association Carolina Cougars.  She went on to The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 1970 where she pledged the Phi Mu Sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1972. 

Debbie began a 15 year career as an Agent for Eastern Airlines from 1972-1987 and then went home to raise her family. She was active in her church, Main Street Methodist in Kernersville, NC.  She also appeared in guest spots on the Greensboro based noon hour talk show, Sondra and Friends where she would discuss travel tips. Later when her sons were grown she began a small business of her own called "Its A Girl Thing" where she created and sold women's fashion accessories from 2008 - 2015.

Surviving are husband of 44 years John "Al" Alton Williams, Jr of Mooresville, NC; son & daughter-in-law, John "J" A. Williams, III and Iris; son & daughter-in-law, Forrest Hunt Williams and Ashley; her brothers, Robbin Harkey (Shirley) and Mason Harkey; her beloved grandchildren, Corbin Williams, Cole Williams, Sutton Williams, Jack Williams, Bode Williams, niece, Erica  Harkey, nephew Cameron  Harkey, (Amber), their children, Beckett and Evie Harkey and many friends and extended family too numerous to name that will miss her dearly.

Deborah was preceded in death by father, Horace Jenkins Harkey; mother, Doris Polk Harkey; mother-in-law, Helen Hunt Williams; and father-in-law, John A. Williams.

Visitation for friends and family to Debbie will be held in the Chapel at Enon Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, a funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm with the Reverend Steve Brown and Reverend Jim Shelley officiating. Interment will follow in the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery, Oxford, NC.  Afterward, the women of Enon Baptist Church will provide a reception for guests in the Enon Community Building.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Enon Baptist Church in care of Mike Adcock, 1515 Lewis Jones Road, Oxford, NC 27565 or to the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House, 1325 Mecklenburg Highway, Mooresville, NC 27117.

The Williams family is proudly being served by Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home, 503 College St., Oxford, NC, 27565.

Online memorials: www.GNVFuneralHome.com.