Obituary for Debora Gowdy
Debora was born to parents Lizzie Moore and Robert Gowdy on December 12, 1960 in
Chicago, Illinois. She grew up as the second oldest of six children and attended Austin
High School in 1978. Debora attended Malcom X College and graduated with her Associ-
ates. On January 22, 1990, Debora began her career at Airsped, as a driver for their car-
go and freight company. Debora worked 30 for years, doing what she loved. Debora built
personal relationships with the different brokers in which she worked with. They looked for-
ward to seeing her beautiful smile and thunderous voice, that carried throughout a room.
Debora was an amazing mother. She was the life of every party. You never had to ask if she
was anywhere, because if she was there you will hear her. To everyone that met her, they
could attest and speak highly of the woman she was. She was smart, funny, and brutally
honest. She always told people how she felt, there was no guessing. She was a rare kind of
woman. They always said that a woman cannot raise a boy into manhood, but Michael be-
came a man because of her. She was such a great woman and that plenty of family and
friends were able to be blessed with her presence. She was a mother figure to an abun-
dance of family, friends, and many people in the neighborhood. She enjoyed talking to peo-
ple, drinking her Pepsi, and hanging out with her son, daughter in law and grandson. They
truly brought her joy on this planet. There was never a moment she was in a room and her
presence was not felt, she was this way until the very end. She was a protector, provider,
and an amazing teacher. She will truly be missed. No one can replace the impact she left on
others lives.
Debora fell sick on December 22, 2020 after catching COVID-19. If you knew her, you
knew she was a fighter. She fought hard until the day of December 30, 2020, when she
took her last breath at 12:48PM. On that day, she heard God say come home child where
there will be no more pain or sorrow and then she gain her wings. She died in inpatient at
West Suburban Medical Center, alongside her son, daughter in law, and her niece. She was
supported, loved, and cared for until the end. Debora passed at the age of 60.
Debora leaves to cherish her memories: Her son, Michael Jackson; her brothers, Robert
Gowdy and Darryl Gowdy; her sisters, Cassandra Gowdy and Kenya Jackson; and her
grandchild, Xavier Brooks. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Delanda Gowdy and
Anjanette Gowdy; her parents, Lizzie Moore and Robert Gowdy; and a host of aunts and
uncles.
Musical Prelude .....................................................................................................
Processional .................................................................................. Family & Minister
Scripture ................................................................................................... Minister
Prayer ....................................................................................................... Minister
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................... Musician
Acknowledgements and Resolutions .........................................................................
Remarks ............................................................................................. 2 min. please
Obituary ............................................................................................ Read Silently
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................... Musician
Eulogy ...................................................................................................... Minister
Benediction................................................................................................ Minister
Recessional ..........................................................................................................
Friday, January 8, 2021
Memorial: 12:00 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644
Chicago, Illinois. She grew up as the second oldest of six children and attended Austin
High School in 1978. Debora attended Malcom X College and graduated with her Associ-
ates. On January 22, 1990, Debora began her career at Airsped, as a driver for their car-
go and freight company. Debora worked 30 for years, doing what she loved. Debora built
personal relationships with the different brokers in which she worked with. They looked for-
ward to seeing her beautiful smile and thunderous voice, that carried throughout a room.
Debora was an amazing mother. She was the life of every party. You never had to ask if she
was anywhere, because if she was there you will hear her. To everyone that met her, they
could attest and speak highly of the woman she was. She was smart, funny, and brutally
honest. She always told people how she felt, there was no guessing. She was a rare kind of
woman. They always said that a woman cannot raise a boy into manhood, but Michael be-
came a man because of her. She was such a great woman and that plenty of family and
friends were able to be blessed with her presence. She was a mother figure to an abun-
dance of family, friends, and many people in the neighborhood. She enjoyed talking to peo-
ple, drinking her Pepsi, and hanging out with her son, daughter in law and grandson. They
truly brought her joy on this planet. There was never a moment she was in a room and her
presence was not felt, she was this way until the very end. She was a protector, provider,
and an amazing teacher. She will truly be missed. No one can replace the impact she left on
others lives.
Debora fell sick on December 22, 2020 after catching COVID-19. If you knew her, you
knew she was a fighter. She fought hard until the day of December 30, 2020, when she
took her last breath at 12:48PM. On that day, she heard God say come home child where
there will be no more pain or sorrow and then she gain her wings. She died in inpatient at
West Suburban Medical Center, alongside her son, daughter in law, and her niece. She was
supported, loved, and cared for until the end. Debora passed at the age of 60.
Debora leaves to cherish her memories: Her son, Michael Jackson; her brothers, Robert
Gowdy and Darryl Gowdy; her sisters, Cassandra Gowdy and Kenya Jackson; and her
grandchild, Xavier Brooks. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Delanda Gowdy and
Anjanette Gowdy; her parents, Lizzie Moore and Robert Gowdy; and a host of aunts and
uncles.
Musical Prelude .....................................................................................................
Processional .................................................................................. Family & Minister
Scripture ................................................................................................... Minister
Prayer ....................................................................................................... Minister
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................... Musician
Acknowledgements and Resolutions .........................................................................
Remarks ............................................................................................. 2 min. please
Obituary ............................................................................................ Read Silently
Solo/Selection ........................................................................................... Musician
Eulogy ...................................................................................................... Minister
Benediction................................................................................................ Minister
Recessional ..........................................................................................................
Friday, January 8, 2021
Memorial: 12:00 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644