Debra Dinkins Powell

Ms. Debra Dinkins Powell, of Mount Airy, a beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born February 1, 1955, in Mount Airy, to the late Charles Burton and Frances Hunt Dinkins.

Debra graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1973 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Campbell University in 1977. Teaching was Debra’s passion, and she touched the lives of countless students and families.

She began her teaching career in Mount Airy, serving in the special needs classroom at Jones School from 1977 until 1978. She then taught at Pilot Mountain Elementary from 1978 until 1981. Following a move to Wilkesboro, Debra taught a combined 4th and 5th grade class and served as a children’s librarian at the Wilkes County Public Library. After returning home to Mount Airy, she resumed teaching in 1996 at Franklin Elementary. In 1999, she returned to Jones Intermediate, which she considered home, where she faithfully taught on the third-grade hall until her retirement in 2018.

Debra was a member of Grace Moravian Church. She found great joy in spending time with her granddaughters, sewing, gardening, and sitting on her front porch watching the wildlife.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Abby and Chris Hazel; two granddaughters, Kylie and Harper; her nieces, Addison Greene (Zach) and Lauren Little; and many special cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, Ms. Powell was preceded in death by her brother, William Hunt “Bill” Dinkins.

A service of worship and celebration of Debra’s life will be held Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Mount Airy Wesleyan Church, with the Rev. Jason Madison officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A private inurnment will be held at God’s Acre at a later date.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Debra’s friends and the community for the outpouring of love, support, and celebration she received during the last few months of her life. It meant so much to her to know how deeply she was loved and cherished.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017.

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.