Deborah “Debbie” Major

Deborah Marie "Debbie" (Shipley) Major, 71, of Kearney, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri. A visitation is scheduled from 1:00-2:00 PM on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 at Park Lawn Northland Chapel in Liberty, Missouri with a memorial service to immediately follow at 2:00 PM.

Debbie was born on November 7, 1949 in Elmo, Missouri to Merle William and Ella Mae (Kerns) Shipley. She was the oldest of six children and was preceded in death by her father and brother, Bobby Shipley. Her mother passed away on September 16, 2021 in Maryville, Missouri. Her remaining siblings are Carl "Butch" Shipley of Kearney, Missouri, Lora Whitaker and husband Roger of Platte City, Missouri, Bill Shipley and wife Ida of Kansas City, Kansas, and Donna Stegall and husband Mike of Elmo, Missouri. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses and children. Debbie had two children: Robert "Rob" Jackson and wife Jill and Amy Smith and husband Cory. She had three grandchildren who she thoroughly loved and adored: Chase Logan, Tucker Shinneman, and Brinley Smith. Her grandchildren and many others referred to Debbie as “MeMa”! In addition, Debbie had two stepsons: Justin and Brandon Major; and brother in-law, Bill Major. She and her husband David met during August 1996, and they were married on September 6, 1997, spending 24 wonderful years of marriage together. David resides at the family home in Kearney, Missouri.

Debbie graduated from Oak Park High School in 1969 and subsequently attended St. Mary's Nursing College, Penn Valley Community College, and Park University. She was a nurse at North Kansas City Hospital for two years, and then moved on to Liberty Hospital where she worked for another 23 years, retiring in the 1990's as a registered nurse in orthopedics. Debbie had a strong Christian faith and studied the Bible daily. She was a godly woman that taught her kids about Jesus Christ. She enjoyed watching Shepherd's Chapel during the late evening hours and even took Shepherd's Chapel CDs to study while on annual ski vacations to Colorado with her husband and Tucker. Debbie was the true matriarch of the family and never stopped doing things for others and was always there to listen, give advice, and tend to other’s needs. She was known for her homecooked meals and preparing wonderfully large Thanksgiving dinners for many family members each year. She was a thoughtful caregiver to family members who needed her help and devoted her spare time to her grandchildren. Debbie's gentle soul cannot be replaced and will be forever missed by her husband, family members, and her many friends.

A visitation is scheduled from 1:00-2:00 PM on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 at Park Lawn Northland Chapel in Liberty, Missouri with a memorial service to immediately follow at 2:00 PM.