Deborah Young Hickman, a loving mother and grandmother, took her first breath in heaven on January 22, 2023 at the age of 65.

She was born on April 14, 1957 to the late Jimmy Neal Young and Edith Cardell Young in Henderson, Tennessee. It was there that she spent most of her life before moving to North Carolina to remain close to her beloved daughter and two grandchildren.

Deborah had a big heart for Jesus and charity, often giving to those in need. She spent nine years working for the Teen Challenge Women’s Recovery Center. It was there that she mentored and counseled women through drug and alcohol recovery; she even ran her own center in Knoxville, TN for many years.

Other than helping people in need, she also enjoyed lighthouses, reading, her dog Noah, Tennessee orange, and never went anywhere without buying a t-shirt. But most of all, she loved her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two daughters: Haley Faye Cutler (Alex) and Nici Corell Ward (Mike); her beloved grandchildren Savannah Rayne Cutler, Preston Cutler, Austin Young, Tres’ Ward, and Hayden Ward; her stepmother Madga Young; and three stepsisters: Lori Q. Thomas, Beth Cox, and Tiffany Elder.

Along with her parents, Deborah was predeceased in death by her daughter Hannah Dee Hickman, and her three brothers; Chris Young, Don Young, and Alan Young.

She will be cremated; with her ashes spread over the Smoky Mountains, at her request.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday January 28, 2023 at the Unity Baptist Church 2475 Highway 22a N, Jacks Creek TN, 38347 where flowers are welcome to be sent to.

Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service is honored to be assisting the Hickman family.