Deborah Dawn (Fritts) Surles

She lived with a quiet strength that needed no announcement and a love that shaped the world around her. Today, we speak her name with gratitude and remember the beauty she brought to our lives. Deborah Fritts Surles, born on August 16, 1958 in Baltimore, Maryland, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she made her home in her later years. Deborah was a selfless soul—someone who consistently thought of everyone else before herself. Her love was the kind that didn’t need to be spoken to be felt. She cherished her family deeply, especially her daughter Serina Marie Surles, her son Timothy Brian Surles, and her beloved grandchildren Jace and Jackston Horton, who brought endless joy and light to her days. She also adored the family’s German Shepherd, Sadie, swearing she always knew when something was wrong and never missing a chance to rub Sadie’s belly, even when it hurt her to bend down. It was just another reflection of Deborah’s giving heart. Deborah is survived by her children, Serina and Timothy; her grandchildren, Jace and Jackston; and her brother Eric Fritts, all of whom carry forward the love she poured into their lives. She is preceded in death by her husband, William N. Surles Jr. (born August 1, 1948; died October 24, 2022), whom she lovingly cared for until his passing, as well as her brother Richard Fritts. After William’s death, Serina brought Deborah into her home and cared for her with the same devotion Deborah had always given her family. Though Deborah has left this world, the love, humor, and strength she shared continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Her memory is a gentle reminder of what it means to love unconditionally, to put family first, and to find beauty even through life’s hardest moments.

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