DEBORAH "DEBBIE" JEAN HANSON

Deborah Jean Hanson, aka Debbie, passed away in her home on January 17, 2023 after a long battle with cancer and congestive heart failure. She fought with everything that she had, but the Lord decided that it was time to take her home. Her devoted husband took care of her from the beginning of her illness until the end and he truly honored his wedding vows "till death do we part". She was just short of celebrating her 70th birthday. Debbie was born on February 19, 1953 to her parents, Wayne and Pearl Edison in Norfolk Virginia. Her older brother, DeWayne Edison served in Vietnam and Debbie adored him. She spent her childhood living in various locations due to her Father serving in the Navy, but they ultimately settled back in her hometown in Norfolk. During her childhood and teenage years, she spent as much time as possible swimming at the Chesapeake Bay Beach. The beach truly was her happy place and she felt at peace while she was near any ocean. Her husband did not care for the beach, but he loved Debbie, so he would lather on the sunscreen and indulge in his family's beach time. After graduating high school, Debbie attended nursing school at Old Dominion University and during that time, she met the love of her life, James Vernon Hanson. He was employed at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk and Vernon's uncle lived next door to Debbie. He introduced them and they dated for four years. When Vernon proposed, Debbie's mother only had one mandate.....Debbie had to finish nursing school. Debbie did just that and she graduated with her registered nursing license in 1974 and she married Vernon that same year. They relocated to Vernon's hometown, Sylvan Springs, AL. They had their home built there and have resided there ever since. They welcomed their first child, Amy in 1978 and their second child, Brian in 1981. Debbie put her nursing career on hold while her children were young as she could not stand the thought of them being raised in daycare. When her children started elementary school, she served as a nanny for two young children until they too started elementary school. When she re-started her nursing career, she cared for the elderly at a long term care facility in Pleasant Grove. She then spent time working with teenagers suffering from drug addiction at a rehab facility in Birmingham. She also spent a short time working in a psychiatric hospital with adults suffering from mental illness. She finally landed her dream job which was working with and caring for newborn babies and their mothers at UAB. She spent several years in this position until she retired due to cancer complications in 2012. Debbie also taught children's Sunday school and vacation Bible school at her church, Gloryland Baptist. She loved spending time with young children and it definitely showed as she was around them every chance that she got. She was very generous and would always help anyone that was in need. She was also a very talented singer, piano and auto harp player. She loved to spend her free time painting ceramics, crafting and sewing. She also loved making matching outfits for her children, much to their chagrin! Her favorite hobby of all was traveling and she visited Europe twice. She would often talk about the castles that she was able to visit and her favorite was seeing Buckingham Palace. She was most fascinated by the Queen of England's jewelry display as she loved some shiny jewelry! Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl (Kegley) Edison, her father Wayne Edison, her brother DeWayne Edison, her father in law Vernon Hanson and her mother in law Betty Hanson. Debbie is survived by her husband James Vernon Hanson, her daughter Amy Long, her son Brian Hanson and her beloved Pomeranian, Sassy. All are welcome to come and celebrate Debbie's life at her memorial service on February 4, 2023 at Gloryland Baptist Church at 2PM. The service will be officiated by pastor, Jordan Forshee and the address is 1829 Circlewood Drive Birmingham, AL 35214. Debbie's ashes will be scattered at a later time where she felt most at home, the beach.