Mrs. Debra Elizabeth (Burgess) Gerald, age 71, of Summer Shade, Kentucky passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, December 5, 2025, surrounded by family. Debra was born on September 12, 1954, at the War Memorial Hospital, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Elease (England) Burgess. She was a 1972 graduate of Gamaliel High School, and worked in several sewing factories, and alongside her husband on the farm and in the logwoods, until becoming a CNA and working at Monroe Health & Rehab, and TJ Samson Community Hospital. Debra was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, and enjoyed working, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
She is survived by two daughters, Brookie Ross and husband Joe, of Alvaton, Jacqueline Gerald and Josh Minton, of Summer Shade; four grandchildren, Dylan Ross, of Barbourville, Abby Lombardi and husband Will of Lexington, Justin and Jaxon Minton of Glasgow, four sisters, Helen Gerald, of Summer Shade, Thelma Smith and husband Ricky of Sand Lick, Peggy Rhoton and husband Mikey of Tompkinsville, Sandra Burgess and Punkin Turner, of Mount Hermon; one aunt, Ella Westbrook, of Mississippi; sister-in-law, Nell Gerald; brother-in-law, Danny Gerald and wife Karen,and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a host of cousins and extended family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Morris Gerald; her parents-in-law, Charles and Inez Gerald; two brothers-in-law, Alvis and Jimmy Ray Gerald, and one sister-in-law, Janice Spence.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Bartley & Sons Funeral Home in Tompkinsville, with burial to follow in the Monroe County Memorial Lawn. Mickell Smith will officiate the services.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, and again on Sunday morning after 8:00 a.m. until the service time at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church or to the Gamaliel Volunteer Fire Department.
Pallbearers: Joseph Burks, Gary Gerald, Mickell Smith, Kyle Rhoten, Daniel Rhoten, Greg Gerald
Honorary Pallbearers: Ronnie Gearlds, Danny, Dwayne, Donnie, and Brock Billingsley, William Gibson, Ray Shaw and her Skilled Nursing Unit Family.
Bartley & Sons Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Debra and her family.
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