Birth Date:
Deceased Date: 06/15/2017
Debra Michelle Nipper, 44, lost her lengthy battle with Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma on June 15, 2017 at Duke Medical Center surrounded by family and friends and listening to the blues that she loved. She left behind her beautiful daughter Butterfly Nipper-Lewis; her mother Billie Nipper of Pine Level; brothers Josh Nipper (Jennifer) of Smithfield, Steven Nipper (Amber) of Selma, and Justin Nipper (Tiffany) of Kenly; special aunt and uncle Karen and Boone Miller of Princeton and special aunt Debbie Nipper Reaves of Burlington; best friends Jef Pollock and Brandi Laney of Wilmington. She is also survived by many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and people who loved her. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas “Butch” Nipper and her infant son, Miracle Nipper Pollock.
Debra was a 1990 graduate of North Johnston High School and received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UNC Wilmington. She spent 20 years in Wilmington where she made many friends before moving to Jacksonville, where in a short time she made many more. Before her illness, she worked for over a decade as a social worker with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. She also owned a restaurant in Wilmington where she served as a mentor and friend to many of her employees.
Debra loved everyone. She was a fearless fighter for human rights, an avid environmentalist, and a lover of animals who never met a stray she wasn’t willing to help: cat, dog, or human. Debra was known for her wit, intelligence, extraordinary capacity for selflessness, compassion and the best laugh anyone has ever heard. Debra was a devoted mother to her only child, Butterfly. She was born to Debra late in life and was the sun in her sky.
A celebration of Debra’s life will be held at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma on Saturday, June 24th, 2017 at 2pm with visitation beginning at 1pm. Following the service, friends and family will gather at the VFW, 509 West Pine Street, Pine Level, NC. Everyone is invited to attend to share food, pictures, memories, special stories and laughter with Debra’s family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Foundation, Duke Children’s Hospital or ASPCA.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.parrishfh.com.
