Deborah "Debbie" Jean Kerr Hilbert, 62, died at her home surrounded by friends and family on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, after a struggle with ALS.
Debbie was born to Malcolm Clyde Kerr and Lillian Margaret Trotter Kerr on June 12, 1948. Her parents preceded her in death.
Debbie graduated from Tyner High School and Carson-Newman College with a degree in music. After graduation, she taught music in the elementary schools in Catoosa County, Ga., for three years before transferring to Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga where she taught as an assistant in the music department, a teacher in the senior department, and then became the music teacher in 1976. She retired from Orange Grove Center in 2007.
Under Debbie's direction, The Orange Grove Chorus performed in many local churches and other venues. The chorus was invited twice to attend the Very Special Arts Festival in Washington, D. C. where they performed on the stage of the Kennedy Center and were guests at the White House. The chorus also performed for many other events twice performing for the reception at the Governor's Mansion in Nashville for Governor Don Sundquist and the International Civitan Club Convention at the Opryland Hotel.
Debbie was a member of the choir at First Baptist and taught in the children's music area for over 20 years.
Debbie is survived by her husband of 38 years, Gary Hilbert; son, Bruce (Kathy), and two grandchildren, Abigail and Ezekiel, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 30, with the Rev. William C. Stooksbury officiating. The interment will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens-East.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the special caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care and Hospice of Chattanooga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the music department at Orange Grove Center, First Baptist Church, or Hospice of Chattanooga.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29, at the funeral home and from 12-1 p.m. on Monday, at First Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.