Deborah Worthington Coley

Mrs. Deborah Lane Worthington Coley, 66, a resident of Troy, Alabama, passed away at Troy Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, August 1st, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Rev. Doc Kirby officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing.

Mrs. Coley was a proud graduate of Crenshaw Christian Academy and a devoted alumnus there for the rest of her life. She received her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University and two master's degrees from there as well, one in Elementary Education and one in Special Education. She began her teaching career at South Montgomery Christian Academy before moving on to the Pike County School System, where she remained for the next thirty years. However, even in retirement, Mrs. Coley could not shake her devotion to elementary school children, and so she spent time working as a specialist or teacher at Pike County, Luverne Elementary School, and her alma mater, CCA.

Mrs. Coley truly had the definition of a personality that was larger than life. She was incredibly vivacious and totally unforgettable. More than anything, her mark in life was the difference she made in the lives of her many, many students over the years. Every morning, without fail, she made sure to greet each of her students with a hug and inquiry into their welfare. Her love and care for their well-being made a marked difference in their lives and so many will always be grateful for it. In her free time, she was also a devoted fan of Alabama Football, and enjoyed attending games at Troy as well. Her family will never forget what a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister she was to all of them, and they will always cherish the memories they made together.

Mrs. Coley was preceded in death by her husband, Ace B. Coley Jr, and her parents, Walter Ray & Janice Layton Worthington and Joe Doris & Loetta K. Anderson. She is survived by her loving husband, Don C. Croy; children, Andrew Blake (Angel) Coley, Brittany Lane Coley, Amanda (Adam) Joiner, and Jonathan Croy; grandchildren, Kincey Lane Coley, Ramsey Blake Coley, Jacey Alayna Downing, and Cam McFarland; sisters, Kari Lee Manning and Shari Dee Alexander; and nephews, John D. Alexander IV & Kevin Anderson Manning.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Carden, Tom "Doc" Peurifoy, the CCA Class of 1973, and all of her former fellow teachers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Crenshaw Christian Academy in her honor.