Deborah Anne Herndon Marks

Deborah (“Debbie”) Anne Herndon Marks (70) of Powhatan, Virginia passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 13, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband L. Steven (“Steve”) Marks; by her father Thomas T. Herndon and her mother Jean Kilby Herndon; and by her “adopted mother” Reba Ownby Myers. Debbie is survived by: her son, Joshua (“Josh”) Thomas Marks (Ariel); her daughter, Elizabeth “Brooke” Shannon (Mike); her grandson, Steven “Max” Shannon; her “adopted father”, John L. Myers; and her “adopted brother and sister”, J. Randy Myers and Tammy Jo Martin and their families. 

 Debbie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She sincerely loved others and freely offered care and compassion to all. She was a long-time gifted and devoted teacher at Powhatan Elementary School. Debbie was especially known for demonstrating love and inclusion to every child that ever walked into her classroom. Throughout her life, Debbie earnestly cared for, appreciated and loved anyone and everyone that crossed her path. For Debbie there was no greater joy than serving others. She gave of herself willingly and sacrificially. She lived out God’s commandment to “love your neighbor”, and she did so in so many practical ways. Her greatest desire was for others to know that their lives were/are of utmost value and importance. Debbie will always be remembered for her strength of character and for her desire and passion for others to have hope and to believe in themselves. 

 Debbie was loved by so many. Her passing was sudden and untimely. She would want everyone to know that she was at peace with God – that it was “well with her soul.” Debbie knew that she was loved by God and that He would welcome her into His loving arms when it was her time to be called Home. She spoke so often about Heaven, and she had a favorite book on the subject that she often recommended to and shared with family and friends. Debbie’s family is eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support that they have received from all that knew and loved her. Her legacy will certainly be the lives of the many with whom she shared her faith journey, as well as the lives of the many children that she had the privilege to teach and love. 

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (6-8 PM) at the Bennett & Barden Funeral Home in Powhatan, VA. Debbie’s Homegoing Celebration will be held at Fine Creek Baptist Church in Powhatan, VA on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 1 PM. A brief graveside service and interment will follow in the church cemetery.