CENTRALIA — Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Mudd, 67, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Carlyle Healthcare Center, after a long and brave battle with diabetes and congestive heart failure.
She was born September 26, 1955, in Centralia, the daughter of Jack Reynolds and Bette Bingaman Reynolds. She was raised by Bette and her husband Merritt Hoyt, who loved Debbie dearly. From the moment Merritt entered Debbie’s young life, he raised her as his own child, and she even took his last name. Her grandmothers, Cora Reynolds and Ann Bingaman, were great influences in Debbie’s life.
Debbie married Jerry E. Brown in 1973, and they were blessed with two children: Shawn and Angie Brown. They later divorced. Debbie was a very loving, kind-hearted, and generous mother that made her children her top priority.
Debbie was grateful for her grandchildren; she was the best Nana to them all. She spoiled them as much as possible, never telling them NO. She is survived by her four grandsons: Dakota Korzenewski, Johnathan Blake Korzenewski, Andrew Brown, and Kason Elms. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren.
Debbie graduated from Centralia High School in 1973. Later, she earned a medical technology certificate from Harrisburg College. For 25 years, she worked for St. Mary’s Hospital as a supervisor of sterile processing and central supply. She was also a wonderful caregiver for many families in the Centralia area. Debbie’s love and attention to these families gave them much comfort in trying times. Her greatest pleasure was helping others however she could. This is her legacy to us all.
Debbie was a GREAT cook! She was a regular “Betty Crocker” in the kitchen and loved hosting meals for every occasion/holiday. No one ever walked away from her table hungry. When she wasn’t spending time in the kitchen, Debbie enjoyed sewing, watching her favorite show, The Young and the Restless, babysitting any child that needed her, fishing, and mushroom hunting.
Since 2018, Debbie has lived at Carlyle Healthcare Center, and while she was there, she developed close friendships with other residents, their families, and caregivers. She participated in every activity her health would allow. She was a “social butterfly” and drove her wheelchair around to visit with everyone she could. She was the Queen of Bingo, and you knew not to interrupt her Bingo games.
Debbie attended the Carlyle Christian Church for several years. Many kindnesses were shown to her by the members of that church. The family is so grateful for their love.
Debbie’s daughter: Angie Brown, survives, along with Angie’s significant other: Scott Bieser. Scott has been an incredible blessing to Debbie and her family. She is also survived by her bonus daughter: Kristi Elms. Kristi’s faith and love have been a steadfast comfort to Debbie for so many years; her brother: John Hoyt and his wife Jennifer, as well as her other siblings: Tammy Kapp and Dan Reynolds; many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will always remember Debbie.
Debbie’s much-loved son, Shawn Brown, passed away on January 10, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents: Bette and Merritt Hoyt, and her biological father, Jack Reynolds, and her aunt and uncle: Doris and Ray Donahoo, who were quite special to her.
Funeral Services for Debbie Mudd will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Josh Wolford of Carlyle Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made in Honor of Debbie to the Centralia Humane Society and/or the Carlyle Christian Church and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Debbie’s family.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.