Deborah Louise “Debby” Hart, age 72 of Puryear, TN, died on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Debby was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Danny Hart, on August 27, 2025.
She was born in Chicago, IL on September 7, 1953, to the late Treva Wilburn Merrell and to the late Martha Crutcher Thorn.
She was a member of Grace Baptist Church. She had a caring heart and loved taking care of others. She enjoyed singing and playing the tambourine, as well as camping, going jeeping, and spending time outdoors. She dearly loved all her grandchildren. After working for many years as a cosmetologist, she spent her later working years at Jim Adams IGA and Kroger.
Debby is survived by three children, Gina (Tom) Thornton of Paris, TN, Selina (Eric) Miller of Puryear, TN, and Danny (Jamie) Hart of Puryear, TN; three sisters, Bernice Nelson of Metropolis, IL, Bonnie (Marcus) Heckman of Spanish Fort, AL, and Virginia (Darrell) Evan of Milan, TN; two brothers, Jimmy Merrell of Springville, TN, and David Merrell of Buchanan, TN; a sister-in-law, Debra (Frank) Crutcher; a brother-in-law, Ranny (Stephanie) Hart; twelve grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren with another one on the way.
Along with her parents, Debby was also preceded in death by a brother, Phil Merrell; a sister, Lynn Greer; three sisters-in-law, Becky Merrell, Candy Merrell, and Debra Merrell; two brothers-in-law, Jerry Nelson and Jimmy Hart.
Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, is handling the arrangements. A joint memorial service will be held for both Danny E. Hart and Deborah L. Hart on Saturday March 7, 2026, at Hazel Baptist Church Christian Life Center, Hazel, KY at 2:30 p.m. with Jordan Roach officiating. The family has asked for friends to gather at 2:00 pm for a short time of visitation prior to service.