Deborah Hiatt Taylor

Deborah Hiatt Taylor went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Fellowship Baptist Church, 120 Fellowship Church Road, Siler City, NC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends will receive visitors following the service at the church. Debbie was born on February 6, 1952 weighing in a mere two pounds. She is the daughter of Eugene and Lillie Hiatt of Coleridge. She grew up in Coleridge in a family that was rich in the things that mattered. She is a 1970 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School. She and her husband, Donnie Taylor were married in 1971 and just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Upon marriage she became a mother to Cathy and Russell, their union was blessed years later with a son, Jacob. She worked to make their house a home, and was employed for many years at Stedmans in Asheboro. Upon Jacob's birth she retired from Stedmans to assume the role of mother and full time caretaker of their son. He was born with a rare genetic disorder, NKH. Always an encourager, she made time to help other families whose children were diagnosed with the same disorder. Today an organization (NKH.org) exists to offer support to families and to further the cause for a cure in part because of Debbie's care and devotion. She became known to people around the world as the "Card Lady". She sent birthday cards to every child that she knew of that had that disorder and Christmas cards to all the families. Some years she literally sent hundreds of cards. She truly enjoyed it. Shortly after Jacob's death in 1998 she started having problems that were thought to be coming from arthritis and was showing almost stroke-like symptoms that were later diagnosed as a brain tumor. She has endured a great affliction without complaint, and has been an inspiration to us all. She still offered encouragement to new families and sent her cards as long as she possibly could. Her husband Donnie has been a loyal and faithful husband and care giver. She loved the Lord. When she was told she only had a short time to live some ten years ago she told doctors and anyone else that would listen, that it was God that ordered her days. And so He has, she will celebrate her 60th birthday on Monday in heaven. Debbie was preceded in death by a baby sister, Jo Anne Hiatt, her grandparents, Clifford and Ruth Hiatt of Ramseur and Clyde and Ida Kidd of Coleridge. She was a member of Deep River Baptist Church in Coleridge. She and her husband Donnie loved Fellowship Baptist Church and appreciated all the church family has done for them. The family would also like to thank Dr. Cheryl McNeill, her neurologist, for her years and care and the Randolph Hospice for their help and care. Debbie is survived by her husband, Donnie; her stepchildren; two grandchildren, Dalton and Christine; her parents, Eugene and Lillie Hiatt of Coleridge; sisters, Sandy Jarrell, Kathy McNeal both of Coleridge, Joy McCorquodale of Cedar Falls and a brother, Laurie Eugene Hiatt, Jr. of Coleridge. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.