Deborah Ann Westover was born in Columbus, Ohio, in September 1987,and welcomed into this world by David and Judith Westman and her older brothers Matthew and Joel, alongside her identical twin sister Rachel. She grew up in a loving home where she was introduced to the love of God and the life of Jesus. She learned to love her neighbor as she loved herself.

Debbie graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During college she spent time in Africa in Namibia and The Gambia where she worked to get mosquito netting into homes to prevent malaria. Debbie met her husband Joshua Westover at Camp Echoing Hills in Ohio where they were serving as co-counselors for individuals with special medical needs. They married in 2010, and lived near Cleveland, Ohio while Debbie worked at University Hospitals of Cleveland. They further developed their desire to promote justice and equity. In 2011, they moved to Atlanta with the Mission Year, and were placed in Emmaus House in the Peoplestown neighborhood of southwest Atlanta. They lived by the great commandments:Love God and love people; nothing else matters. After their service, Josh and Debbie made Atlanta their home, and went on to plant roots and love their neighbors in southwest Atlanta. Together they built a network of love that can hold even this tragic loss.

Debbie and Josh have two children: Jeremiah (age 11) and Zechariah (age 6). Debbie was an excellent mother who believed in loving the children as God made them, and guiding them to live a life that is compassionate and kind. Debbie modeled her belief that we actually can make this world better in both her career and her personal life.

Debbie was a long standing member of Eastside Church where she held many service oriented roles. From helping coordinate the children’s programming, to cooking alongside her husband at the free weekly breakfast, Debbie was a steady and cheerful servant to her community. She and Josh hosted a weekly small group in their home for many years. The church is and will always be deeply grateful for her presence and service as a member of their community.

Professionally, Debbie became a certified neuroscience registered nurse in 2013, and worked first at Grady Memorial, then Emory as a clinical research nurse in the Alzheimer Disease Research Center. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing in 2019 (Clinical Nurse Leader) at the University of West Georgia, and became the stroke coordinator for Emory Midtown’s stroke program where she was in charge of maintaining their advanced stroke certification with the Joint Commission. In 2024 she was named the lead stroke program manager for all of the Emory healthcare system. Debbie was in the midst of earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Leadership and Population Health which she had hoped to use to improve healthcare options for underserved populations at a system-wide level. Her keen mind, compassionate heart, and deep practicality made her an excellent nurse.

Debbie was sung home to Jesus on December 17, 2025, by her devoted husband, surrounded by her family, holding the hand of her oldest child, hearing the laughter and joy of her youngest, watched over by her parents and siblings. She will be deeply missed by her family, her community, and this world.

Debbie Westover is survived by husband Joshua Westover, sons Jeremiah Westover and Zechariah Westover, father David Westman, mother Judith Westman, grandmother Margaret Cockerham, siblings Matthew Westman (Donita), Joel Westman (Jenni), Rachel Douglas (Christopher) and nieces and nephews Jacob Westman, Noah Westman, Susanna Westman, Jaxton Douglas, and Rylynn Douglas. She is also survived by the many friends who have become extended family because Debbie loved them well.

In lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to the family's GoFundMe, which will support Josh and the boys as they figure out the impossible task of what might come next. 

Josh has asked that Debbie be honored by following in her footsteps: crochet a hat for someone who needs it. Plant indigenous flowers so the bees will have respite. Make an often cruel and cold world feel a little kinder and warmer.

A celebration of life for Debbie will be held on Sunday, December 21 at 5 pm at Eastside Church: 468 Moreland Avenue SE Atlanta Georgia, 30316

Following the service there will be a potluck and time for board games. Please bring a dish and/or a game to share. There is a zoom link forthcoming for those who cannot attend in person. All who knew and loved Debbie are welcome.

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