Deborah Louise Umphrey

Deborah McManus Umphrey, 64, passed away in her home in Conyers, Georgia on August 7, 2023.

Deb was born the third of five children of Billy Ray McManus and Marian Trevillion Folendore McManus in 1958 in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. She loved being part of a large family, and stayed close to her family all of her life.

She graduated from Ponchatoula High School, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She also earned her 2nd degree black belt in karate, a symbol of the strong and determined woman she was, and became a certified karate instructor.

Deb had three passions in her life: her family, both by birth and marriage, the Lions Club, and her church. She was also an avid reader and lover of the printed word.

She was a loving, caring, and supportive wife for 9 years to Ronald Jack Umphrey, and through him became the "bonus mom" to his children, Jeremiah and Jonathan. Jonathan told Ronnie that he didn't want to call Deb his stepmom, because he only knew evil stepmoms from Disney movies. Jonathan decided that "bonus mom" was the best name for her, which Deb delightedly embraced.

One of the longest dedications of her life was to the Lions Club. Helen Keller, who called the Lions the "knights of the blind", was a big inspiration to Deb in joining the charitable organization. She not only served in the club for 30 years, but served in several leadership positions, including vice district governor, a district governor, and a district cabinet advisor. She participated in conventions in Japan and Hawaii, and was inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame as a past district governor in 2013. Deb was awarded the International President's Leadership Medal in 2002, and was named a Melvin Jones fellow, the highest honor given in the Lions Club, in 1997.

Deb was a devoted Christian, a very active member of Conyers Presbyterian Church, along with her husband Ronnie. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, and participated in the Presbyterian women's group.

She loved and was loved by her cats, Maggie and Meow, and is being missed terribly by them.

Deb is survived by her husband, Ronnie, her brother Paul Lee McManus, sisters Jennifer Gay McManus Crawford, Elizabeth Trevillion McManus Keller, and Victoria Dawn McManus, bonus children Jeremiah Umphrey and Jonathan Umphrey, in-laws Cheryl McManus, Darrell Crawford, Todd Keller, Martha Umphrey Clay, Miriam Umphrey Kidd, ten nieces and nephews, and a host of grandnieces and nephews, and all the people whose lives she touched.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 20 at 4pm at Conyers Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donation to the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and/or Conyers Presbyterian Church.