Deborah Jean Hunt

Mother Deborah Jean Hunt, 75, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, in Indianapolis, surrounded by her loving family. Born on November 21, 1950, in South Bend, she was the second child of James Sr. and Willie Mae (Ferrell) Williams.

On November 21, 1978, Deborah married L.T. Hunt, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 47 years. A retired employee of AM General, she found her deepest purpose in her faith and family. A charter member of Life Changers South Bend under the leadership of Apostle Charles King, II, and later Pastor Charles King, III, she served as a pillar of wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual guidance. Known affectionately as Church Mother, she touched countless lives through her prayer, compassion, and steadfast commitment to uplifting others.

She is survived by her husband, L.T. Hunt; sons Tony Smith of South Bend, David White of Texas, and DeShawn (Bianca) White of Hawaii; daughters Kimberly (William) Jones of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Deborah Gamble, DeAnna Blackmon, and DaZha Blackmon, all of South Bend; son-in-law Charles Jude of Georgia; 13 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; siblings Dottie Williams of South Bend and Dennis (Gale) Williams, Sr. of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, and dear friends.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, James and Willie Mae Williams; daughters Nicole L. Smith-Jude and Dachel Smith Pace; grandsons Quinton L. Jones and Charles Odynski; great-granddaughter Zaida White; siblings James Williams, Jr., Linda Kaye Gordon, Sharon Johnson, and Ronnie D. Williams, Sr.; brother-in-law Larry Gordon; and nephew Ronnie D. Williams, Jr. Her legacy of faith, love, and resilience will continue to live on in all those she touched.