Deborah "Debbie" Withrow Oliver

Deborah (Debbie) Withrow Oliver, age 59, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 15, 2021, in Rome, Ga. Debbie was born in Rome on June 18, 1962, to the late Eugene F. Withrow and Sandra Withrow Smith. Debbie was preceded in death by her grandparents, S.A. Austin and Jen Lou Stitcher Austin and uncle, Lamar Oliver (Poker) and father-in-law Walter B. Oliver III. Debbie and her husband, Walter B. Oliver IV, married on June 22, 1985, in Tifton, Ga.

Debbie was raised in Tifton, GA, and graduated from Tift County High School in 1980. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Georgia in 1984 followed by her Master’s degree from Valdosta State University and Six Year Education degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Debbie was a devoted teacher and during her 30 year career in the education field, Debbie taught at Annie Belle Clark Elementary School, Fairmount Elementary School, W. L. Swain Elementary School and Model Elementary School. Debbie retired from teaching in 2015 and worked part time at Riverwood Senior Living for approximately two years.

Debbie was a member of Dykes Creek Baptist Church in Rome. She loved teaching children, interacting with people, travel and sports. Debbie idolized her entire extended family especially her husband, Walt, and son, Cole. She particularly relished watching Cole play baseball and basketball at Model High School as well as baseball at the collegiate level. She was an honorable member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international organization for women educators dedicated to educational excellence. Debbie was a special person, loved by all and always had a kind word and warm heart for all those she encountered.

Debbie is survived by her husband Walter B. Oliver III of Rome, and son Cole of Fayetteville, NC; her twin sister, Jennie Withrow Highland and (Emmett) of Peachtree City, GA, niece, Madison Highland and nephew Conor Highland, aunt, Vanita Holden of Rome, and cousin, Tracey Helton and (Wayne) of Rome, nephew, Brent Helton (Whitney) of Yorkville, GA, sister in law Tammy England (Andy) and mother-in-law Evelyn Palmer of Quitman, GA, and nephew Austin England (Raquel) of Thomasville, GA.

The pallbearers are David Fisher, Chad White, Tony Bethune, Wes White, Conor Highland and Emmett Highland.

A memorial fund in Debbie's honor has been established for staff and students at Model Elementary School. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heather Wheat at River City Bank, 228 N. Second Ave. SW., Rome, GA, 30165.

A gathering of friends for Debbie will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Salmon Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A private family service will be held following the gathering.

The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Deborah (Debbie) Withrow Oliver.