Deborah (Debbie) Widner

Mrs. Deborah (Debbie) Widner, 58, of Blytheville, died suddenly Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. She was born April 22, 1955, in Corinth, Miss., to Harold and Laverne Killough Gardner. She worked at the Baptist Hospital in Blytheville as a ward clerk for many years.

She loved to cook, and her family says that she was a GREAT COOK! Her specialties were the good old fashion things like beans and cornbread, or beef stew and cornbread.

Debbie's favorite hobby was reading, and she loved to sit and read her Bible. She also liked to read series of books, and even got her husband interested in them, although he would often have to stop her from telling him the story because she always read ahead of him. Debbie was also an avid fan of mystery shows on TV; her favorites were Criminal Minds, Bones and CSI.

Her husband, Bill, says that people told him that she had the sweetest, sexiest telephone voice, and he agreed. She and Bill were married 35 years. He says that he loved her from the first time he saw her, and more everyday than the day before, and he told her that often. They have a pug dog named "Mojo" that Debbie said was the sweetest, lovingest dog ever.

She was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, but attended Number Nine Baptist, due to the special friends she had there. Co-workers say that one very special thing about Debbie is that she loved to serve people, and did it anonymously.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Widner, of Blytheville;

Her mother-in-law, Lois Widner of Blytheville;

Two sisters, Sharon Fryer of New Albany, Miss., and Kim Bliss of Jonesboro;

Two nieces, Nicole and Sonya; and

One nephew, Deirre.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Carney Funeral Home Chapel followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Charles Hurley officiating. Condolences may be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com