Deborah Bernadette Gwathney
07/01/1952 – 04/03/2021
Obituary for Deborah Bernadette Gwathney
DEBORAH BERNADETTE GWATHNEY, 68, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, April 3, 2021. Her husband of 43 years, the Reverend Alvin W. Gwathney and son Keith W. Gwathney, were present at the time of her sudden and unexpected passing. Deborah (nicknamed Bonnie) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 1, 1952.She graduated from Mitchell Road High School in Memphis and received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees and a certification in Library Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Deborah settled in Knoxville with her beloved husband, Alvin W. Gwathney. Together they raised their two sons, Keith and Kyle. A lifelong educator, Deborah served the Knox County School District for 35 years… first as a teacher then as a librarian. She served as Director of Christian Education for New Covenant Baptist Church and, at the time of her passing, was serving as the Director of Christian Education for the nine Churches in Knoxville District of the A.M.E Zion Church. Deborah was a Certified Christian Financial Advisor through “Crown Financial Ministries” and loved teaching biblical stewardship. She was a devout Christian who was deeply involved at many of the churches she attended, especially in children’s ministries. In recent years, she ministered to women of various ages and led a “Bible Study Fellowship” group and led weekly Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church senior women’s bible study, as well as providing mentorship for many young ladies. She was First Lady and an ordained Deaconess at Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church, where her husband serves as pastor. She was preceded in death by her father, Emmett Booker and her mother, Elnora Booker, and is survived by her husband, Rev. Alvin W. Gwathney; her sons, Keith W. Gwathney (Lisa), Kyle W. Gwathney (Nacole); grandchild, Micah J. Gwathney; her brother, Ralph G. Thompson of San Angelo, TX. To know Deborah Bernadette Gwathney was to love her. The void that she leaves will never be filled in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She will be sorely missed by her husband, her children, a host of family, friends, and those who knew her in the Christian community.
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Family Only Visitation
Saturday, April 10th , 2021
10:00AM – 8:00PM
Jarnigan & Son Mortuary
2823 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914
Receiving of Friends
Sunday, April 11th , 2021
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church
3800 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914
Funeral Service
Sunday, April 11th , 2021
2:30 pm
Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church
3800 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914
Graveside Service
Sunday, April 11th , 2021
Oak Grove AME Zion Church
5667 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918
FAMILY ONLY VISITATION LOCATION
RECEIVING OF FRIENDS LOCATION
SERVICE LOCATION
GRAVESIDE LOCATION
Memorial Video
Funeral Service Video
Graveside Service Video
My condolences to the Gwathney family for the loss of such a beautiful, brilliant, and accomplished woman. We will miss her wisdom and kindness.
I will always remember Deborah as a sweet and soft spoken lady. She taught my oldest son David at Farragut high school. And I would see her at Krogers and then BSF. My prayers for comfort and support for her family as they mourn her death and celebrate their memories and her life. I will truly miss her.
My condolences to the family, she was one of my favorite teachers and had a heart of gold. Love you RIP
My condolences to the immediate family of my beloved cousin . God bless and keep each of you . An angel had taken her wings and departed in flight to our Heavenly Father .
Our heart felt sympathy to the Gwatheny Family. Deb was such a beautiful soul. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am praying for the family and your strength in this season of loss and grief.
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