LUGOFF - Deborah Sue Hardin Davis died peacefully at her home in Lugoff on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. She was surrounded by friends and family. Debi was the wife of Larry Michael Davis, the mother of Dr. Kara Sue Davis, the daughter of Drs. C.E. “Gene” and Sue H. Hardin, the sister of C. E. “Skip” Hardin, Jr., and stepmother to Michael “Heath” Davis. Other family members include nephews Jonathan Hardin, Christopher Hardin, and Geoffrey Hardin, uncle Mack Hunt (Penny), cousins Bill Hunt (Tricia), Stephen Hunt (Anna), brother-in-law Gary “Chuck” Davis, niece Kelly Davis, and nephews Scott Davis (Amy), Darrin Davis (Beth), and Tyrone Davis. Debi’s funeral will be held in Boyce Chapel, First Baptist Church of Columbia, on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Dennis Banks will conduct the funeral service. Burial will be in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff, SC. Debi was born Saturday, April 7, 1956, in Monroe, LA. She was educated in the public schools of Ouachita Parish, LA; Denver, CO; and Lexington County, SC. After graduating from Irmo High School in 1973, she received her BA in Home Economics from Erskine College in 1976 and her Master’s degree in Special Education in 1979 from the University of South Carolina. Debi was an exceptionally dedicated teacher and educational administrator. She served students with special needs, at all levels and every classification in the SC counties of Greenwood, Abbeville, Lexington, and Kershaw for 38 years. The majority of her dedicated tenure was in the Kershaw County School District: 15 years as a teacher, 2 years as Coordinator and 7 years as Director of Special Services. No one was ever a stronger advocate for the children with special needs than Debi Davis. She always stood for what was best for the child and used common sense when making decisions. Debi was a leader and active volunteer in the Special Olympics at which she enjoyed interacting with the students, parents, and citizens of Kershaw County. Debi especially enjoyed spending time at Lake Murray and the beach. She learned to fish when she was a young child and enjoyed the sport even during her recent illness. Gardening was another hobby in which she found pleasure. She enjoyed playing the piano, spending time with her beloved dog (Dolly), classic country music, and always planning for whatever may lie ahead. Throughout her life and especially in the recent months, she was surrounded by loving, wonderful friends, including Karen Edwards, Ginger Catoe, Kevin Sharpe, Von Duncan, and many others. Debi accepted Christ as her Savior and joined the First Baptist Church of West Monroe, LA, on April 24, 1966. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia at the time she “flew away,” a phrase from one of her favorite gospel songs. The family thanks Dr. James Wells, Dr. Rajinder Parmar, Jackie Molchan, Carlyn Mitchell, Deborah Brickle, and Amedisys Hospice for their professional and loving care during Debi’s courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The family would also like to graciously thank the Kershaw County School District personnel for their support and encouragement, which has continued without waiver. Memorials may be made to the TV Ministry, First Baptist Church, 1309 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201; Amedisys Hospice Service, 220 Stoneridge Dr., Suite 105, Columbia, SC 29210; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 10092, Columbia, SC 29290.