Debra Luanne OSWALT

  Noted events in her life were:

• Obituary: The News & Observer, 2007, NC. Debra (Debbie) Gibson
Dr. Debra (Debbie) Gibson of Carrboro, NC, died of cancer Friday at UNC Hospitals.
Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Brook Oswalt.
She is survived by her father, LaVaughn Oswalt; stepmother, Ruth Oswalt; brothers, Steve and David Oswalt; sister, Barbara Davis; many nieces, nephews, and loving friends.
Debbie was born in Ohio on November 30, 1958. She graduated from Toledo University Nursing School in 1981 and from UNC Medical School in 2001. She did her residency in psychiatry at UNC and opened her own private practice in Chapel Hill in 2005.
Debbie was born with cystic fibrosis and first came to Chapel Hill as a lung transplant patient in 1991. She received a new pair of lungs and a whole new life.
A memorial service will be held at University United Methodist Church, 150 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill 27514, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 23.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie asked that donations be made to Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or to www.heifer.org <http://www.heifer.org>.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. LaVaughn Oswalt at 451 Wharton Road, Greenwich, OH 44837.

Published in The News & Observer on 9/16/2007.

• Obituary: Mansfield News Journal, 2007, Mansfield, Richland County, OH.
Dr. Debra 'Debbie' Gibson

CARRBORO, N.C. -- Dr. Debra "Debbie" Gibson, 48, died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007.

She died at UNC Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, N.C., after a battle with cancer.

The daughter of LaVaughn Oswalt and the late Dorothy Oswalt, Debbie was born Nov. 30, 1958, in Shelby, Ohio. She was a 1976 graduate of Crestview High School.

Debbie graduated from Toledo University Nursing School in 1981. She was born with Cystic Fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at Chapel Hill in 1991. She graduated from UNC Medical School in 2001 and did her residency in psychiatry at UNC, then opened her own private practice in Chapel Hill in 2005.

Debbie enjoyed the adventure of traveling and practicing her love of amateur photography. She enjoyed taking art and design classes and was deeply spiritual. Debbie was known for her kindness, her courage and her positive loving spirit. After receiving her new lungs in 1991, she embraced her life with new enthusiasm and referred to the lungs as her new "wings."

Surviving are her father, LaVaughn Oswalt; stepmother, Ruth Oswalt; sister, Barbara Davis; brother, Steve (Karen) Oswalt; brother, David (Nancy) Oswalt; stepsister, Debi Willcox; stepbrother, Chuck (Vicky) Willcox; stepbrother, Gene (Sharon) Willcox; and stepbrother, Ron (Linda) Willcox; nieces and nephews, Audra, Katie, Kara, James, Samantha and Jay; and many friends and colleagues in the Chapel Hill area.

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Mary and Bill Gibson (formerly of Shelby) for their loving care during the last few months of Debbie's life and to Joanie Gibson White.

A memorial service will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at Shenandoah Christian Church, with Pastor Tom McFadden officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Debbie has requested that donations be made to Heifer Project International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202 or online at www.heifer.org <http://www.heifer.org>.

Contributions may also be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc., 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10122 or online at www.ocrf.org <http://www.ocrf.org>.

Article published Sep 22, 2007

Debra married Living