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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