On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Lord dispatched a heavenly angel to MCV Hospital to call Deborah Denise Harris back home to reside with Him forever.

Deborah was born on December 18, 1962, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Arralean Ellis and the late Frank Johnson. Her early education began at Hendley Elementary School in Washington DC, and graduated from Fairfax High School. She pursued her post-secondary education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia.  On September 21, 1991, she married the love of her life McKenzie Harris.

Deborah, affectionately known to most as Debbie, was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Debbie was a caring, sweet person whose infectious smile could light up any room she graced. Her laughter will be remembered by all who listened to her delightful stories and silly jokes. Debbie's one-of-a-kind laugh will be desperately missed by all who experienced it.

Debbie's children and grandchildren filled her heart with infinite joy. She spent countless hours nurturing them in ways that only she could. Often, if you called Debbie, she would be on the road headed to their events, picking them up just to spend time together, or taking them out for one of her famous outings. She adored her family, coordinating matching or themed T-shirts, planning games for everyone to enjoy, and even bringing "never-heard-of-before" treats for everyone to try. She showed up endlessly for her family, but her selfless love for her husband, McKenzie, was recognized by anyone who met them and serves as an illustration of how to love in the way she knew Christ loved us all. Deborah's love for her family, her devotion to being together, and her commitment to making memories are hallmarks of her personality, as well as examples for us all to follow. Her church family also got to experience her Christ-like love as she was a God-fearing servant displayed by her consistent service on multiple ministries at House of Victory. She was committed to the Lord and lived that out consistently, always showing up and out for all of those a part of their congregation.

Debbie was benevolent and bighearted, with a special love for all of the children who entered her life. She attended sporting events, recitals, and graduations, always prioritizing them in her busy schedule. She loved and encouraged so many young people by starting her own daycare center and treating all who came through her doors as her own. All of the children in her life will remember her warmth. Debbie also spent over 25 years working at DMV and Geico, where she was a respected colleague and cherished friend. Many of those she touched in her career remember her as a close confidant and beaming light.

Debbie had a refined and romantic spirit, delighting in afternoon teas, elegant gatherings, period costumes, and the timeless charm of bygone eras. She shared these passions with many in her life, spending time introducing people she loved to these experiences and always eager to include those around her and educate them about history. These passions carried over into Debbie's extracurricular life, where she diligently developed her own screenplays and manuscripts and spent time at her local theater as both a director and actor. She notably directed August Wilson's Two Trains Running, with McKenzie as an actor, a memory and accolade we will cherish forever.

Debbie was a compassionate, curious, and warm-hearted woman who found joy in bringing history to life. She was an active member of the The Scandalous Women of the Civil War Guild of Fredericksburg, where she portrayed and celebrated the stories of remarkable women who challenged the expectations of their time. Debbie was especially passionate about ensuring that the voices of enslaved people and others too often left out of history were remembered and honored. Through historical programs, reenactments, and storytelling, she helped others connect with the past in a meaningful way. She believed that every story mattered, and her enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication inspired those around her to learn from history and appreciate the people who shaped it.

Though she has left this world, her passion for truth, remembrance, and understanding will continue to inspire all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the stories she helped preserve and the lives she touched.

She is survived by her mother Arralean Ellis; her beloved husband of 34 years, McKenzie Harris Jr.; three sons, Samuel Ellis-Johnson, McKenzie Harris III, and Stephen Harris; adored grandchildren Airiana, Isabella, King Hershall, McKenzie IV, McKenly, McCarter, and McKorey; siblings Garland Ellis (Leeann), Charlotte Oliphant, Diane Watson Edwards (Melrose), Virgenna Saunders (Lindsey), Uganda Johnson Oneal (Adrian), Willie Johnson, Shontel Pettway (Dominick), and Shanesse Pettway; mother-in-love, Dottie Harris; two brothers-in-love, Gregory Harris (Joycelyn) and Stacy Harris (Cynthia); sister-in-love Shannon Harris; goddaughter Yolanda Butler; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Deborah Denise Harris will be missed immensely and will live on in all of us.

A viewing and visitation will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at House of Victory, 15 Pine Road, Stafford, VA, 22405, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1902 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM.