Deborah Anne (West) Giddens, 53, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away peacefully at home on July 24, 2014 in the arms of her husband with family at her bedside, after a 3 ½ year battle with breast/brain cancer.
Deborah Anne (West) Giddens
She was born in Hope Mills, N.C. Debbie graduated from Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla. in 1978 and was employed by the former United First Federal S&L, and was later a letter carrier for 15 years with the United States Postal Service. She married Walt Giddens on July 21, 1990. She “retired” in 2003 to be a stay-at-home mom.
Debbie was a member of Abundant Life Church of Sarasota, and formerly of South Shore Community Church. She was a woman of strong and unwavering faith and had an enormous love of God and family. She loved her friends as family and was always available when a care-giver was needed for both. She was there in Massachusetts when her sister’s husband battled cancer. She was at Pinehurst when her dad had by-pass surgery. She was in Rockingham to help care-give her Mom’s sister, Carolyn Gulledge, as she battled breast cancer. She was there when her mother-in-law was in extended care in Sarasota. And was there for other friends in their time of need. She frequently volunteered at Family Promise of Sarasota, a program for homeless families, as well as for her church communities.
In her school years Deb played in the Miss Sarasota Softball program from its inaugural year in 1972. She was an All-Star “lefty” pitcher, and pitched in tournaments in Bermuda and the National Tournament in Chula Vista, Calif. She won both games she pitched in that tournament as the team finished third nationally.
Debbie is survived by her devoted husband, Walt of Sarasota; her son Jake of Philadelphia; her daughter Mallory of the home; her parents Harry and Hazel West of Sarasota, and of Rockingham N.C.; and sister Wendy Fitton and niece Rainey Fitton, both of Sarasota. She had multiple extended family in Arcadia, Fla., North Carolina, and the Atlanta, Ga., area.
A visitation will be held at Jennings Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday Aug. 1. The funeral services will take place at 11 am. Saturday, Aug. 2 at Abundant Life Church in Sarasota. Private interment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, Aug. 4.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie has requested that donations be made to FAMILY PROMISE OF SARASOTA (non-profit shelter and rehab for homeless families) via Paypal, (www.familypromisesarasota.org) or mailing address: P.O. Box 48199, Sarasota FL 34230.
Paid obituary
The Pee Dee Post
Monday, July 28, 2014
Discussion