Deborah "Debby" Sue Hanshew

Marion, Va. 

Deborah “Debby” Sue Hanshew age 72, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025. 

Debby was a member of Davis Memorial United Methodist Church all of her life, where she taught Sunday School for a few years, was the piano and organ player for several years and was the Sunday School leader and Holston Conference Representative for a while. Debby was a member of the Smyth County School Board serving as Secretary for 6 years, High School English teacher for 24 (Marion Senior High School 19 years & Northwood High School 5 years.) She attended Atkins Elementary from 1st – 7th grade and graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1971. Though she did not attend college until much later, she achieved a four year BA degree in two years, graduating Emory & Henry College Summa Cum Lauda on May 12, 1990. She attended Radford University and received a Masters degree in administration. Debby was the golf coach at MSHS for six years, an assistant JV softball coach at NHS for three years, and a VHSL volleyball official. Debby and “the love of my life” her husband of 29 years who she missed very much, Eddie - were married on Saturday, September 18, 1971 by the minister of Davis Memorial after both his and her parents attended the Smyth County Court that morning to allow them to marry since they were 19 and 18 and not 21 which was required at the time.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Hanshew; parents, Dave and Charmie Bear; father and mother-in-law, Bob and Helen Hanshew; sister, Betty Bear Kirk; four brothers-in-law, Sonny Kirk, Bobby Hanshew, Goatie Hanshew and Raney Price.  

Debby is survived by two sons and two granddaughters; Jeff Hanshew of Jacksonville, Fla. and daughter, Raegan of Whitewell, Tenn. and Matt and Amanda Hanshew and daughter, Macie of Marion, Va.; several sisters, brothers, and in-law’s loved like sisters and brothers, Patty Bear Huber and husband, Peter of Pulaski, Va., Jim and Betty Jo Bear of Rural Retreat, Va., Peggy Price of Tyron, Ga., Janice Hanshew Osborne of Atkins, Va., Darrell and Rachel Hanshew of Kennesaw, Ga., Sandy Hanshew of Rural Retreat, Va., Monica and Bill Hansen of Des Moines, Iowa (Monica was an “adopted sister” from Brazil who lived with the Bears during their Senior year of high school and they cared so much for each other); several nieces, nephews and their families; and many more special friends.  

Special thanks to Caris and MSA Hospice for their devoted care.  

Family will receive friends Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 5 until 6 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel, 237 East Main Street, Marion Va. Funeral services will begin at 6 p.m. with Pastor Natalie Justice and Pastor Donna Hester officiating. Graveside services will be held, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery, 4410 Lee Hwy, Marion, Va. 24354. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Davis Memorial United Methodist Church, Attn. Treasurer, P.O. Box 389, Atkins VA 24311.

To share memories of Deborah “Debby” Sue Hanshew, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Debby has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.