Deborah "Debbie" West May

It is with profound sorrow the family announces the passing of Deborah (Debbie) West May, age 75, of Oak Ridge, TN, on Thursday, February 26, 2026. She has joined her husband Kenneth Y. May, her parents Robert (Bob) A. and Betty A. West; brother Edward (Eddie) West; brother-in-law Teddy (Butch) Catron; and nephew Dustin Catron in the Kingdom of Heaven. The receiving of friends will be Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with the celebration of life service following at 2:00 p.m. at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations, Oak Ridge, TN.

Debbie is survived by her two sons, Shannon P. May (Amanda Flowers) and Brian M. May (Alexia Vickery); her sister Sandra (Sandy) West Catron; and brother Robert (Bobby) W. West (Sherry), along with nieces Shantel Tanner (Kelly) and Laci Catron-Lowe and nephew Trevor West (Lindsey), as well as grandnieces Ivy and Lilyanne Tanner and Paizley, Jazmine, and Azalea Lowe, and grandnephews Blake and Braden West.

Debbie grew up in the Jonesville community and for many years was a member of Jonesville United Methodist Church, Oliver Springs, TN. She attended Orchard View Elementary School and Oliver Springs High School. She married Kenneth on October 26, 1971; they spent many happy years together raising their two sons until he passed in August of 2023. She worked as a seamstress at Harriman Hosiery Mill, an office administrator/receptionist for Fowler's Furniture Store, and worked as a teacher’s aide for Willow Brook Elementary School in Oak Ridge until she retired. Debbie was an avid hiker and enjoyed visiting the state and national parks. She enjoyed motorcycle trips with Kenneth, traveling up and down the east coast and mountain areas, sometimes with Bobby and Sherry. The 4th of July gathering each year is a special celebration time for her with family, friends, and relatives from Indiana at the lake house. This family gathering started when she was very young as camping events.

Debbie lived a full life; she was very active and always on the go. She put her sons and husband first and went out of her way to help family and friends. She was deeply loved, and she loved others. Debbie will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Friends of the Cumberland Trail https://friendsofthecumberlandtrail.org/donate/ or Friends of the Smokies (https://friendsofthesmokies.org/make-a-gift/).

Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the May family.

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