Deborah Denise Dillard..... Age 67

Memorials are to the Granny Debbie Memorial Fund

________________________________________________________________________

Deborah Denise (Knight) Dillard was born on December 21, 1953 to Erma Mary Lewis and Bernard Knight Sr. in Chicago, Illinois. She left this life on April 17, 2021 at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. She graduated with honors at Paola High School and went on to pursue her vocations. She worked as a cook at the Osawatomie Middle School for many years and then she moved to Olathe, KS.  She attended Johnson County Community College and National American University in pursuit of nursing & health care. Her most recent vocation was working for Assisted Transportation through the Olathe School District.

Deborah confessed a hope in Christ when she was 10 years-old and was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Osawatomie, Ks. Deborah loved her family life. She would make sure that she called all her family members on their birthdays to sing Happy Birthday to them. She took special interest in her children and grandchildren’s activities, plays, basketball games, softball games, and was very present whenever she could be. Over the years, Deborah did a lot of yelling at the refs during Justin (JD) and her grandchildren’s games. She showed great enthusiasm during those athletic events, not only towards her family, but she embraced Justin’s teammates as if they were her own.

When she moved to Olathe, Ks., she attended Lenexa Christian Center. Deborah was a faithful servant in the choir at Lenexa Christian Center for over 20 years. She was also a Spiritual Advisor, an Intercessor for many, plus she served in other ministries. Her special hobbies were watching the Chiefs, playing bingo, and cheering on Steph Curry. Most recently, she was attending Nexus Church in Lenexa, KS.  Her love for the Lord was strong and evident in every conversation. She was not ashamed of the gospel. She kept the faith, ran her race, and finished strong.

Deborah was proceeded in death by the following: her parents, Erma Moore and Bernard Knight Sr., Grandmother Barbara Lewis, Great-Grandmother Erma Baltazar, Granddaughter Mariah Dillard, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Here to cherish her memories are (1) brother; Bernard Knight, Jr (Nettie) of Santa Ana, California, (2) nephews; Michael Knight of Newport Beach, California and Nathan Knight of Santa Ana, California, (4) daughters; Tracey Dillard of Olathe, KS, Rachelle Dillard of Olathe, KS, Paula Colbert (Jeff) of Coffeyville, KS, Sabrina Dillard (Richard) of Shawnee Mission, KS, (1) son, Justin Bernard Lamar Knight of Osawatomie, KS.

Others left to cherish her memory: 26 Grandchildren, 18 Great-grandchildren, along with a host of cousins, and friends.

She was an amazing Sister, Mother, Granny, Granny Debbie, Sister Deb, Granny Baby, and Granny Vegas. Her presence will be significantly missed by many: her church family, bingo buddies, along with a multitude of family and friends.

On behalf of the DILLARD family: We want to truly thank everyone for their prayers, love, condolences, flowers, cards, gifts, text, phone calls and meals. Your tremendous support has helped to provide our family with great comfort during this difficult time. We appreciate every single act of love. In our beloved mother’s honor, WE PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS OVER YOU AS YOU COME AND GO!!! We love you all.