Our beloved Deborah Omega Haygood went home to be with the Lord on January 3, 2022 in Huntsville, Alabama. Deborah was born in Huntsville, Alabama to the late John Thomas and Alma Perry Haygood on November 14, 1957. Deborah attended Huntsville City Schools at Councill High, Montview Elementary, Davis Hills Jr. High and Lee High School. After high school, Deborah spent some time in the Job Corp and later followed her dream to pursue a nursing assistant program at J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College. This prepared her to serve as her mother's live-in caretaker, when her mother became ill. Deborah also acquired a Builder's Maintenance Degree from Drake, of which she was very proud.

Deborah especially enjoyed working for the Limestone Correctional facility as a Correctional Facility Officer for many years. She took great pride in her work there. Deborah is known, by friends and family, for her kind and loving spirit. She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed doing things with them.

As a teenager, Deborah accepted Christ and joined Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church, where she became a faithful member of the Youth Choir. The Youth Choir was under the leadership of her mother and church musician, Mrs. Alma P. Haygood, and her brother/choir director, Rev. H. Gregory Haygood. Her signature song sung with the choir was "There is a Bright Side Somewhere." Deborah can now rest peacefully on the bright side with her Lord and Savior.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, John Thomas Haygood, Sr. and Alma Perry Haygood, and her sister Linda F. Olukokun. Deborah leaves to cherish her memory: two children, Bernard Anthony Haygood and Amy Latricia Haygood. She also leaves five grandchildren, Michael Ervin, Isaiah Ervin, Jayden Ervin, Aubriana-Grace Ervin and Royalty Johnson. Sisters grieving her loss are Carolyn H. Parker (Uthman Abdur-Rahman) of Huntsville, Alabama, Griselda A. Haygood of New York, New York and Alma J. Haygood of Alexandria, Virginia. Deborah also leaves behind five brothers, John T. Haygood, Jr. of Huntsville, Alabama, Rev. Donald P. Haygood (Davida) of Seattle, Washington, Rev. Michael D. Haygood of Louisville, Kentucky, Rev. H. Gregory Haygood (Janice) of South Bend, Indiana and Rev. Emanuel F. Haygood (Carmalita) of Ashland City, Tennessee. Deborah's closest and dearest friend since childhood is Rena Powell. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends to mourn her life.

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PRIVATE memorial service for Ms. Deborah Omega Haygood will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022 at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

( Masks and social distancing are required; Please refrain from hugging, handshaking, etc.  Hand sanitizer will be available upon entry.)