Debbi Kelly Garren

December 15, 1955 - November 10, 2017

Debbi Sue Kelly Garren passed into the arms of Jesus on November 10, 2017. She was born in Mobile, Alabama on December 15, 1955 to Aaron and Velma Kelly. She grew up in Mobile, Alabama and Mebane, North Carolina and graduated from Eastern High School in Mebane in 1974 and from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1978. She married Kenny Garren on February 24th in 1979. Debbi spent most of her life working with children in preschools, the church, and homeschooling her own two children. She was also a continual student of the Bible, childhood education, crafts, decorating, and organizing, and she was an informal mentor to women in many aspects of family life. She also greatly loved her grandchildren, singing silly songs to them and pointing them to Jesus. The Garrens resided in Wilmington, Cary, Apex, and finally Fuquay-Varina. Debbi is survived by her husband Kenny of 38 years, 2 children (Jessica and her husband Matt and Jonas Kelly Garren and his wife Amanda), brother (Michael Odell Kelly), sisters (Brenda Gail Crutchfield and Jo Ann Caulder), six grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Debbi's love for children, please consider supporting Archie and Laura Gunn with Child Evangelism Fellowship of North Carolina as they are trying to raise support for full time ministry. Donations can be sent to 611 St. Mary's Street, Garner, NC 27529 with a note that the contribution is for the support of Fund 600. You may contact them at [email protected] or by phone 919-779-2825 if you have questions about this great ministry. Laura was one of Debbi's "children" from many years ago. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 on Friday the 17th of November at the Cary Alliance Church, 4108 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC. The funeral will be held on Saturday the 18th at 1:00 pm at Cary Alliance Church followed by burial at the Holy Springs Cemetery.