First Lady Debbie Stinnett Passes Away

First Lady Debbie Stinnett, wife of Bishop Thomas Stinnett Jr, pastor at the Church of Jesus Christ, at Maryville, Tennessee passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville Tennessee. Bishop Stinnett relayed, “I had planned to bring her home on July 31st after a two week stay but Christ had a better home in mind.” Her condition had worsened and she was sent to the ICU where she eventually sucumed to her illness in body and went to be with the Lord.

First Lady Debbie Stinnett

Deborah “Debbie” Irene Langer Stinnett

September 4, 1952 — August 2, 2023

Greenback, Tennessee

Deborah “Debbie” Irene Langer Stinnett, age 70, went to her heavenly home on August 2, 2023. Debbie was born in the Bronx borough of New York City NY on September 4, 1952. She is preceded in death by her Father Joseph Oscar Langer, Mother June Bertha Langer and Brother Kenneth Langer.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas Robert Stinnett Jr, three children, Thomas Robert Stinnett III and wife Rhonda of Spartanburg SC, Joann Ella and husband Mark Franklin Prater, and son Joseph Oscar Stinnett and husband Earl Jack of Greenback, TN, Grandson Shawn Lee Prater and wife Jessica of Walland TN, Granddaughters Amanda Nichole Prater of Maryville TN, Amber Makala Godrey and husband Travis of Woodruff SC and six Great-granddaughters, Maddalyn, Brylee, Ella, Lily, Evelynn and Paisley, Sister Edith and husband Bruce Strawser of Palm Bay FL, brothers Kevin Langer and wife Tina of Greenback TN, Wayne B. Langer and wife Deborah of Cape Coral FL, and brother Keith Langer and wife Leona of Killeen TX and numerous nephews, nieces, inlaws and friends to include special friend Jeanette Collins of Maryville TN.

Her legacy is one of unwavering devotion, strength, patience, friendship and of sacrificial love for Christ, her husband, children, grandchildren and country.  She served in the Womens Air Force (WAF) and the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1973.  She served her husband and Christ as the First Lady of the Church of Jesus Christ in Maryville TN for twenty-nine years.  “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:29 ESV)  She will be sadly missed by all.

Receiving of friends will begin at 5 P.M. on Saturday, August 19, 2023 followed by a celebration of life service at 6 P.M. at the Church of Jesus Christ, 308 S. Long Hollow Road, Maryville, TN. 

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