Deborah Gulley

Deborah Gulley age 64, is the eldest of three children born from the union between Will Commodore Gulley (deceased) and Ruth Croslin Gulley (deceased).  She lived her early childhood in South Carolina surrounded by close knit family relationships. In the mid-sixties, her family migrated to New York City where Deborah continued to thrive in her academic abilities. She graduated Hunter College with a Degree in Social Work.

Deborah enjoyed a thirty year career in law enforcement. She initially worked several years for New York City Probation. Subsequently she worked for New York State Patrol, and she retired several years ago. Her long career at NYS Patrol afforded her the opportunity to support and help many offenders.

Deborah had a beautiful smile and could easily be described as a determined, strong willed and independent woman. She had many skills and talents. As a teenager, she taught herself photography and became known as the family ‘expert’. During any family gathering, Deborah busied herself taking spontaneous pictures of family and friends.  Her creativity included drawing, sketching; writing poetry, baking and designing and making women’s hats, as well as designing and making unique dolls. She had a flare for cosmetics and clothing and she was a wiz at finding unusual ‘one of a kind outfits’ that suited her style.

Deborah was ingenious when it came to electronics. She could take apart computers, figure out what the problem was and reassemble the computer without instructions. She loved different gadgets and she added them to her collection. Whenever the television was broken, Deborah would be the one to repair it. She did minor carpentry work around our home when we were children, and she utilized these skills in decorating her home as an adult.

Deborah was a private person, yet she was generous. She had a heart of compassion and often helped her family and friends in need. She lived most of her life in New York City. After her retirement, she relocated to Ocean City, Maryland to be near her sister, Rachel.

Deborah died quietly at home early Saturday morning, February 24th 2018 at 7:55am. She was surrounded by her family.

Deborah is predeceased by her father, Will C. Gulley, her mother, Ruth Croslin Gulley, and her brother, Richard Samuel Gulley. She is survived by her only sister, Rachel Gulley, several aunts: Gladys Pressley, Pecola Brown (Sonny Brown), Shirley Weaver, and Victoria Weaver and two goddaughters, Sasha Weaver and Jessica Willis. She also leaves to mourn a host of cousins and friends.

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