Deborah Helene (Ransaw) Lewis

Deborah entered this life on September 11, 1950, and transitioned this earthly life after a brief illness, on May 21, 2023, returning home to her Heavenly Father.

Deborah is the third of six children born to her parents, Dorothy (Staley) Ransaw and Louis William Ransaw.  She grew up in the City of Pittsburgh (Homewood) and attended the public school system, graduating from Westinghouse High School in June 1969.  She attended Boyce Community College in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, where she met her husband, Ronald Lewis, in October 1969, and they have never been apart since that precious day.

Ronald and Deborah were married on May 22, 1971, and to this union were born two (2) daughters—Ronneka (Nikki) and Deidre.  The family was blessed with a beautiful first home in Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania and lived there until December 1985, when they relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. 

In September 1990, the family relocated to Cary, North Carolina.  They enjoyed fellowship at Cary First UCC from 1991 to 2008 and then with Pleasant Grove Church beginning in 2008.  Deborah served in diverse roles—Missionary Leader, Deaconess, Prison Ministry Lead, and Lead for other civic organizations supporting women-focused initiatives. 

Deborah had an impressive professional career, including working in customer service and administrative roles at the Veteran’s Administration, retail, insurance industry, the American Kennel Club, and the North Carolina Bar Association. 

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Dorothy Ransaw; and her brother, George Ransaw.

Deborah leaves to cherish her memories; her beloved husband, Ronald Lewis; daughters, Ronneka and Deidre; sisters, Jacqueline Simon (Spencer) and Donna Ransaw; and brothers, Ahliel Shaleak (Timerah) and Louis Douglas Ransaw (Stacy).  Also, a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 24th at Pleasant Grove Church in Cary, North Carolina.  Visitation will begin at 10am with services to follow at 11am.  Repast will immediately follow.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to one of the many organizations that Deborah was passionate about:

Dorcas Ministries of Cary, North Carolina

Urban Ministries of Wake County (Helen Wright Center)

Pleasant Grove Foundation Dream Academy

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