Deborah Catherine Davis Hawkins, 74, passed away Saturday at her home in Raleigh following a long illness. Born in Sharpsburg, NC, to the late Rudolph and Catherine Adams Davis, she is survived by her husband of 54 years, William Lewis Hawkins, by her brothers, J.W. Davis and wife, Paula, Timothy Davis, and wife Gwen, and by many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Raised in Sharpsburg, NC, she was a graduate of Nash County High School, and later attended art school at Randolph Community College where she received an Associate’s Degree . She was known for her large, impressionistic paintings and would sometimes challenge friends to guess what they were. Though an artist at heart, she spent her work life as a purchasing manager, most recently with the NC National Guard from which she retired in 2020.

She and her husband, Bill, have been long time members of the North Carolina MG Car Club where they have served in many capacities. They are especially known for the beach and mountain “tours” they coordinated for the Club over the years. (Debbie often said that in a second life she would be an event planner.) Friends and family will always remember them in their little blue MG with the top down, laughing in the sunshine as they drove along, or sometimes standing along the side of the road, not laughing, when it broke down.

Debbie was known for her love of antique silver (which she would happily polish, although she would not polish yours), her high-heeled shoes, her sparkling eyes and her playful laugh. That will all be missed.

The family would like to thank Loretta Lloyd and the other members of the Arosa and Heartland Hospice teams who provided such loving and tender care in her last days.

A viewing will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, August 21, at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, followed by a service at 11:00 AM and graveside burial at Raleigh Memorial Park.