Debi

Deborah Milam August 2, 1952 – August 22, 2021 Born to Herbert and Ina Poe in 1952, Debi grew up in Pensacola and was raised near Navy Point. She contributed to her community throughout her entire life, and seemlessly exemplified Charles Dickens’ dictum, “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” From an early age, Debi was always up for an adventure. She was gregarious, smart, funny, exceptionally generous, and beautiful inside and out. Debi graduated from Escambia High School in 1970, completed a banking certificate at the University of Florida, and attended classes at Pensacola State College. She married Willie Ray “Duck” Milam in 1983. Debi was a brilliant businesswoman; she worked for more than 40 years in banking, holding various leadership positions. Colleagues often told stories about her excellent customer service skills and her warm sense of humor that made everyone feel welcome and valued. Debi retired from SunTrust after 40 years, and was widely celebrated in the industry. With a servant’s heart, Debi was active in numerous community groups, always looking for ways to help those in need. She was Board Treasurer for the Community Action Committee in Pensacola, an organization that helps low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. Deeply involved in Hillcrest Baptist Church on Nine Mile Road, Debi was active in Bible study, women’s groups, and community outreach. She enthusiastically embraced the church’s belief that connecting to, investing in, and serving the world are worthy and noble pursuits. She reflected the wisdom in Proverbs 31: 20-21, which reads, “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” In her retirement, Debi tried to spend as much time as possible with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was always up for girls’ weekends, couples’ trips, family dinners, and entertaining an endless stream of visitors who basked in her love and attention. She was an active member of the Mardi Gras Krewe de Wilde, an energetic group of women in Pensacola and reveled in their company. Debi helped raise Michele and Derrick’s three daughters: Reagan, Addison, and Caroline, and was a doting DD. One of her greatest joys was planning her daughter Lindsey’s wedding to Garrett Maines in June of this year. She poured her energy into the festivities to ensure that it was a weekend filled with friends, family, and most importantly, love. Debi was honest, courageous, compassionate, witty, and fiercely loyal to family and friends. She would always put others before herself. She raised a beautiful family, helped improve her community, and enjoyed the company of many who now rise up and call her beloved. She will endure in the hearts and minds of those who were blessed enough to know her. She is preceded in death by her parents, her older brother John David Poe, her stepfather Robert Ferguson, her fathers-in-law, Willie Ray Milam Sr. and Robert S. Crooke, and her granddaughter, Katelyn Payne. Debi is survived by her husband, Willie Ray “Duck” Milam, her daughter Michele Payne (Derrick), and their three daughters Reagan, Addison, and Caroline, her daughter Lindsey Maines (Garrett), sister Barbara Peterson (Bill), brother Bobby Poe (Mary Jane), and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and beloved friends. The family will host a visitation (starting for family at 1:00pm and friends at 1:30pm) and a Celebration of Life (at 3:00 p.m.) on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 800 E. 9 Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32514. Masks required. In lieu of flowers, the family has created the Deborah Milam Memorial fund. Please make the check payable to the “Deborah Milam Memorial” and mail it to Pen Air Federal Credit Union at 1495 E. Nine Mile Rd. Pensacola, FL 32514. Faith Chapel North assisted with the arrangements.

Tributes

Debi

August 2, 1952 - August 22, 2021