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Deborah Anne Dannels, known affectionately to friends and family as Deb, left the stage of life with the same grace and flair with which she lived it, on February 11, 2025. Born on April 15, 1951, in Bradenton, Florida, Deb’s life was a vibrant masterpiece, a canvas filled with the colors of joy, creativity, and love. She took her final bow in Dothan, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy as warm and inviting as her signature home interiors.
Deb’s life was a testament to the power of passion and the beauty of artistic expression. She was the proud owner of Marianna Paint and Decorating, which she transformed into Hearth and Home Interiors, a place where wallpaper dreams came true, and even her mother found solace and purpose amidst the trials of chemotherapy. Deb’s creative spirit knew no bounds—painting, watercolor, acrylics, pottery—you name it, she mastered it with the ease of a true artisan.
Her husband of 52 years, Dickie Dannels, stood by her side as a steadfast partner in life’s dance, while her sons, Jonathan Wade Chalker (with Jess) and Brian Andrew Dannels, added to the rhythm of her days. Deb’s love story continued through her seven grandchildren, each a note in the melody of her existence. Her brother, Scott Phelps (with Pam), and sister, Dawn Edwards (with Fuzzy), also survive her, sharing in the harmony of memories. Deb is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Donna Phelps, and her sister, Donna “DG” Gail Martin.
Deb was a woman of many talents—dancing, singing, guitar playing, and cooking with a flair that honored her grandmother and mother’s recipes. She taught artwork classes with the same enthusiasm she brought to reeling in the big catch from her boat or on land. Deb was the life of every party, her laughter as infectious as her creativity was boundless.
She leaves behind a world less colorful but infinitely richer for her having been in it. Deb was the embodiment of creativity, analytical prowess, and passion—a true original who painted her life in bold strokes and bright hues. So, here’s to Deb, whose life was her greatest masterpiece, and whose memory will be cherished in the gallery of our hearts.
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