Mrs. Debbie Loftin, of Dyersburg, TN, passed away Friday, April 10, 2020 at the Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN.  She was born March 9, 1954 in Moline, Il to Richard and Darlene Powell.  After college she met her husband, Mark, while working together at a youth center in Chicago. They began a life-long ministry of caring for young people, from being house parents to children at a boarding school in The Dominican Republic to fostering children in Maryland.  They finally settled in Dyersburg, TN, where she worked for the New Life Union Mission, directing the children's home, providing family assistance and she and Mark lead the after-school club.  Over nearly 25 years, Debbie and Mark cared for over 300 children.   She was a member of First Baptist church, where she taught the 4-year-old Sunday school class and also enjoyed ladies' bible studies in the community.  She loved reading, walking, quilting, gardening, birding and was well known for being an amazing cook.  Her family were her passion and she loved every minute with all of them.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Loftin, her daughters, Sheria Mills and husband, Benton, of Dyersburg and Tamara Stroud and husband, James, of Thompson Station, TN, her father, Richard Powell, two sisters, Dori McCartney and husband, John, of Tomball, TX and Dawn Robinson and husband, Tim, and a brother, Donald Powell, both of Moline Il.  She was called Debba and loved by her six grandchildren, Tia & T.J. Lewis, Alydia Lyte, Clayton Sweetman, Maddox & McKinnley Mills.  She is preceded in death by her mother, Darlene Beckstrom Powell and a daughter, Holly Henson.

The family request that memorials be made in her honor to First Baptist Church Dyersburg, TN or to the New Life Union Mission.  Please make use of our digital guestbooks to send messages of support to the Loftin family if you are unable to attend services.

A Service celebrating Debbie's life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2020 at First Christian Church in Dyersburg, TN.  The doors will open at 10:15 and the service will begin at 11:00. Mark and his family will not have the traditional visitation, but invite you to come and watch the video of Debbie and their journey together captured in pictures.

The Covid-19 guidelines for Saturday at First Christian are as follows:

1. Masks are encouraged but are not required;
2. Seating will only be every other row;
3. Individuals/families are asked to be respectful of how close you sit to other people in attendance. (This is all to be self-monitored.)
4. Hand-sanitizer will be available at the entrances.