Debra Williams Yarbrough, 64 of West Long Branch, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. She was born in Long Branch to the late Richard E and Beverly M Williams and was the youngest of six children.
She attended Gregory School in Long Branch and graduated from Long Branch High School, where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Ray. Deb and her husband, Raymond Curtis Yarbrough, Sr., celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on August 7th of this year. Deb played French Horn in the LBHS marching band and loved music all her life.
She graduated from Stuart’s Business School, Asbury Park, as a court stenographer. She worked in law firms, at Monmouth Medical Center and also at the Northeast Monmouth Regional Sewer Authority.
Deb loved Princess Diana and was a lifelong admirer of Native-American people and culture. She loved to dress and always looked fabulous. Her favorite group was Queen and she knew every word to every song. She loved Christmas and kept the traditions of old-fashioned Christmas alive in the family. An avid runner and walker for most of her life, she was an enthusiastic swimmer until the very end.
Deb and Ray had three children, Raymond Jr., 41, of Brick; Rachael, 35, of Ocean; and Ashley, 35, of Waretown. Raymond Jr., and his wife, Tammy Primmer Yarbrough gave Deb and Ray four beautiful grandchildren: Nathaniel, 9; Peyton, 6; Hannah 4; and Caden (a Christmas baby), 1. Ashley is married to Jake Petrie and Rachael is married to Joe Piscitelli, both are beloved sons-in-law of Deb and Ray.
Deb was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Gail. She is survived by her husband Ray, her children and grandchildren, her brother Robert E Williams, 78, of Winston-Salem, NC; sister Karen Williams Farris, 77, (and husband Mike) of Wrightsville Beach, NC; brother David B Williams, 66, of Neptune; sister Suzanne Williams Laird, 65, (and husband Bill) of Ocala, FL; and sister-in-law Phyllis White (and husband Conover) of Long Branch. Also surviving Deb are nieces and nephews: Wesley Perry, Heather Perry Riddick, Carrie Anne Williams Mulholland, Kristen Williams, Sandra Lynn Brown, Christopher Brown, and Jessica Laird; and grandnieces and grandnephews: Ella Riddick, Will Riddick, Kevin Garcia, Kyle, Bryan and Dierdre Mulholland, Morgan Brown and Parker Brown; as well as much-loved cousins in New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wales, England and Denmark. Her love and caring for her family were boundless and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11 AM at St Luke’s Methodist Church, 535 Broadway (corner of Washington Street), Long Branch, NJ 07740. (https://saintlukeslongbranch.com/). Deb loved animals and always supported our local Humane Society. In lieu of flowers, please make a tax-deductible donation in memory of Debra to The Associated Humane Societies, a 501(c)3 charity, 2960 Shafto Rd, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753. (https://ahs.givecloud.co/tribute). The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.
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