Deborah Holt

Deborah (Debbie) Smith Holt passed away on September 26, 2024 in Decatur Georgia. She was 74 years of age.

Debbie was born on December 18, 1949 in Atlantic Beach, FL to Glenn Mauldin Smith and Martha Jo Lewis Smith.

Debbie grew up in Atlantic Beach where she attended Fletcher High School and graduated class of 1967. She went on to attend Valdosta State University and later Dekalb Community College.

Debbie had a long career in the legal profession, initially as a legal secretary and then as a top paralegal. Debbie was sought after for her skill and attention to detail with all of the firms she worked with in the Atlanta area and later in Jacksonville Florida. She made many friends and loved the work that she did.

Debbie was a great friend to many people and cherished her friends as family. She was there for anyone going through a rough time and was a source of friendship, support, and love for those who were lucky enough to know her. She loved gardening with her green thumb and spending time digging in the dirt. She was also an animal lover and adopted or rescued many kittens and cats throughout her life. Her cats were always her other "kids" no matter where she lived. Of all the cats she adopted, her three orange cats, A.J., Tonto, and Mitzy, held extra special places in her heart.

The outdoors were where Debbie was happiest. She loved her backyard and the beach and spent many mornings and afternoons enjoying coffee on her patio, taking walks in her neighborhood, or strolling along the shoreline looking for that perfect, or perfectly broken, shell.

And she loved her kids. And her grand children. Very much.

Debbie leaves behind many close friends and former colleagues throughout the southeast, but mostly across the Atlanta and Jacksonville areas. She was very loved.

Debbie is survived by sister, Glenda (Lindsay) Dawson, of Lakeland, FL; 2 children; Brent (Jennifer) Holt, of Decatur, GA and Elizabeth (Derek) Williams of Nashville, TN; 6 grandchildren, Benjamin "Ben" Williams, Emily "Emma" Holt, Harrison "Harry" Williams, Josephine "Josie" Holt, Nora Holt, and Charles "Charlie" Williams.

Debbie is preceded in death by Glenn Smith - father and Martha Jo Smith - mother.

The service for Deborah Holt will be held on Saturday October 5th, 11am at AS Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

Visitation: Saturday October 5th at 10:00 AM followed by service at 11 AM at AS Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Atlantic Beach, Florida on November 9th.

Memorial donations can be made in Deborah's name to either The Alzheimer's Association or PAWS Atlanta.