Debra Gay Spike 's Obituary
In the early morning of October 15th, 2016, Debra Gay Spike passed away peacefully in her home after the bravest fight with cancer anyone had ever seen. Her closest family was with her: her husband Jeff, her children, Stephanie (Dmitry), Gregory (Tamara) and Jonathan Spike, and her brother Ronnie Gibbons. Her three grandsons, Nathan, Jonas and Luca were always on her mind, if not nearby.
Debbie was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Marvin and Dorothy Gibbons in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart in St. Louis in 1970. She raised their children during his career in the military and then she found her own. Debbie earned two nursing degrees and was very proud of her more than 30 years of exemplary service.
She will be remembered for always putting family and patients before herself. She loved reading, holidays and decorating her farmhouse with antiques. Debbie retired from the Florida Department of Health in 2014 and was able to enjoy some rest before her diagnosis. Her struggle and her husband’s caregiving can be no better testament to who they are.
A graveside service will be at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Friday, October 21st at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society.
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