Deborah Burnett Obituary

In Loving Memory of Deborah Jo Burnett:
On May 19th, 2025, the world lost a bit of its sparkle when Deborah Jo Burnett passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 68. A devoted wife, loving mother, sassy grandmother, great-grandmother, and unapologetic wine enthusiast, she left behind a legacy as bold and beautiful as her wardrobe.
Born on January 8th, 1957 in Montclair, New Jersey, Debbie lived life like it was a runway, because for a while it actually was. A teenage model with natural poise and impeccable fashion sense, she turned heads long before she had a reason to roll her eyes at bad outfits. Debbie traded photo shoots for textbooks, and it was during her college years that she met the love of her life, Sam Burnett.
After graduating from Coker College in 1980, Debbie dedicated herself to helping others, working for many years as a social worker in a variety of fields. Whether advocating for women and children, supporting families in crisis, or guiding individuals through life's tougher chapters, she brought compassion, wisdom, and just the right amount of sass to every role she held
She shared 28 joyful, laughter-filled years with her husband, Sam, who survives her and carries forward their many beautiful memories, including decades of inside jokes and shared dreams.
She leaves behind her daughter, Anna Creighton-Youmans, son-in-law, Trusof Youmans, and three amazing grandsons: Elijah Creighton, Josiah Creighton, and Kailo Youmans - each of whom inherited her sharp wit, strong will, and her mischievous charm.
Her loving son, Kristian Creighton, and his wife, Lisa Creighton, remain grateful for a lifetime of memories and love. Through this marriage, a wonderful grandson, Jayden Carpenter, entered her life. Jayden later welcomed, with his wife Victoria Carpenter, two beautiful daughters, Genevieve and Liliana Carpenter, who both share her sparkle and joy.
Debbie also leaves behind her beloved brother, Gary Walker, and his three daughters: Shannon Walker (and her husband, John Lindner), Tara Walker (and her husband, Bob Mitchell), and Lindsay Walker (and her husband, Darius Ricci), all of whom adored their stylish and witty aunt.
Debbie believed life was meant to be celebrated and loved storytelling and making creative nicknames for people. She taught us all that it's okay to eat dessert first, never apologize for speaking your mind, and always look your best, even if it makes you an hour late.
A celebration of her vibrant life will be held on May 31st, 2025 at Sauls Funeral Home, with visitation starting at 3 PM. Guests are encouraged to wear something colorful, uplifting, stylish, or just a little bit sparkly in her honor.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) to help others fight as Debbie did.
She may have left this earth, but her laugh, love, and legendary fashion sense will live on in all of us.
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