Debra "Debbie" Lou DeGrave Gist, 69, of Mocksville, passed on peacefully Wednesday, October 12, 2022, surrounded by family at her sons' home.

She was born October 2, 1953, in Harvard, IL, to the late Henry Leonard and Betty Lou Church DeGrave. Debbie was a member of the church of Christ. She had worked at Camcar Textron in Rockford, IL for a number of years, and later retired from Freightliner in Cleveland. Debbie had married her high school sweetheart, living a full life together and they had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She enjoyed collecting Pepsi memorabilia, working on and restoring her '68 Chevelle, and helping her son build his house; she was always a very hands-on person. No matter what she did, she was all in. Debbie enjoyed all things outdoors, especially yardwork. She was an avid sports fan, and especially enjoyed cheering on the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. But her most pleasurable sports moments were the times she spent arguing with her son-in-law about who was going to win the game. Her greatest love was the time she spent playing with her grandchildren, watching videos of her grandkids from afar, and watching her great-grandbaby. She loved animals, and playing and spoiling her dog, Jazzy.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Dennis, Donald, and Doug DeGrave.

Survivors include her loving husband, Gary Gist; children, Cheri Johns (Chris) and Thomas Gist (Bonnie Helms); siblings, Duane DeGrave (Elsey), David DeGrave, Diane DeGrave, and Donna Doby; grandchildren, Cayden Johns (Tiffany), Abigail Leigh Gist Webb (James), and Caytlin Mae Johns; a great-granddaughter, Willow Rae; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and loved ones. "We will all miss you and now know you are now in peace" "Until we see one another again, We love you this much...YUP WE DO!!"

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, October 17, at Lambert Funeral Chapel, with Mr. James Webb officiating. The service will be available to view on the funeral home website. The family will have a time of gathering immediately following the service.

The family would like to express a special thank you to her son, Tom and his girlfriend, Bonnie, for all the love and care they gave her in these past months.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Rockford, IL.

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com