Deborah "Debbie" Jean Autrey

It is with very heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing from this life of, Ms. Deborah Autrey, 63, a resident of 2109 County Road 285, Five Points, AL.  Ms. Autrey transitioned from this life on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange, GA.

Debra Jean Autrey was born on February 9, 1958, in Atlanta, Fulton County, GA, to the parentage of the late Ronald B. Johnson and Ima Jean Bowman.  She grew up in the Grant Park/Hapeville area of Atlanta -- basically Forest Park, GA. She attended Forest Park High School.  Because Debbie was the oldest of her family, it was normal for her to take care of them because she had a single mother.  As a young woman, she became the mother of two sons: Tony and Brian Smith.  It was at this point that Debbie showed this world what she was made of, and set out to take on the world -- determined to be a hard-working provider for her family.  

She started working as a security guard at Atlanta airport; later she worked a waitress for the next ten years. After that, she started a career at LA Hair in Peachtree City, GA, where she devoted the next 10 years of her life.  Debbie's sons remember her as a very caring mother who was dedicated to her family.  Her favorite hobby was cooking.  She loved to cook, and had a natural green thumb. She was always worried more about her family than others... according to Brian: "The only thing that ever made her truly mad was if someone tried to wrong her or the family. She was very headstrong and didn’t take crap from anyone. She liked to be the boss and always took control of the situation."     

In later years, Debbie became friends with Mr. Donnie Frank Harrison who adored her, and whom she adored. Together, Debbie and Donnie raised 3 of their grandchildren for the last 15 years.  Debbie was a self-employed hairstylist and beautician of fifteen (15) years, working from home. 

She transitioned from this life on Saturday morning, September 11, 2021 at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, in LaGrange. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family which includes her husband, Mr. Donnie Harrison of Five Points, AL; two (2) sons: Tony Smith (Rebecca) of LaGrange, GA, and Brian Smith (Laura) of Concord, Pike County, GA; six (6) grandchildren: Sebastian, Mary, Ashley, Seth, Alexis, and Emma Smith; one (1) brother, Marty Johnson (Vicki); a loving sister-in-law, Martha Harrison, of Five Points, AL; and a host of other kindred, loving neighbors and friends.

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