Deborah Ely Tibbs who was affectionately called " Dee Dee" was born on February 17, 1954, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to the late Susie Mae Walker and Alvin B. Ely. She received her education in the Spotsylvania County School System and graduated from Spotsylvania High School.

Dee Dee accepted Christ early on in life at Bethlehem Baptist Church. She was a spiritual woman that loved the Lord and good gospel music. She was involved in many church activities that included organizing events such as the MLK Holiday Breakfast and Vacation Bible School for many children in the community. She was an active member of her church's Usher Board and served for many years as the treasurer for the Spotsylvania Sunday School Union.

Dee Dee believed in working hard and was a dedicated employee for Spotsylvania County and Beaverdam County United States Post Offices. Also, working numerous part-time jobs such as 7-11, K-mart, and Hardee's to name a few. Dee Dee took all her jobs very serious and made many lifelong friends over the years. After over 33 years of service, she retired from the United States Post Office in April of 2017 due to an illness. Shortly after leaving the Post Office, she refused to stop working completely and went back into the workforce for a few more years working part-time at Ross Dress for Less and Gabe's. In 2020 she officially retired again from all her jobs.

Dee Dee answered the master's call and went home to be with the Lord peacefully on January 15, 2023, at Inova Fairfax hospital after suffering a massive stroke.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Stanley Walker and sister, Juanita Faye Montague.

She leaves to cherish her memories, three children, one daughter, Zoneia F. Robinson of Spotsylvania VA; two sons, Michael Banks Jr. (Dawn) of Waldorf MD, and Alvin Banks Sr. of Fredericksburg VA; seven beautiful grandchildren, Isiah Fox and Zane Fox of Spotsylvania VA, Noelle Banks and Nolen Banks of Waldorf Md, Alvin Banks Jr. of Los Angeles CA, and Ariyah Banks, and Amir Banks of Washington DC.; two brothers, Mark Ely, and Jonathan Ely, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour before the funeral service. A funeral service will be held at Land of Promise on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The interment will follow at Mount Lawn Cemetery. Click here to view the funeral service program. Click here to view the Celebration of Life presentation.