The Life of Deborah Wagner

Deborah Ann Kerens Wagner
December 12, 1950 - February 21, 2016

Deborah Ann Kerens Wagner, 65, passed away at her home in Cary on Sunday, February 21. She is preceded in death by her father John Wilbert Kerens, her mother Rosalie Hart Kerens Gill and her brother John William Kerens. Debbie is survived by her husband Ted, her children Bryan Wagner, Bradley Wagner, and Courtney Harrigan, their spouses Caroline Wagner, Jessica Wagner, and Dave Harrigan, and her six grandchildren Kaitlyn Harrigan, Samuel Wagner, Henry Wagner, Avery Wagner, Nora Wagner, and Sarah Wagner.

Debbie was born on December 12, 1950 in Randolph County, West Virginia. She is a graduate of Boyertown High School and Allentown Hospital School of Nursing in Pennsylvania, during which time she met her husband Ted. In 1997 Debbie graduated with a BS in Nursing from UNC Chapel Hill, and in 2000 she received a Master of Science from the Department of Education at NC State University.

Debbie was a lifelong nurse, working at Raleigh Community and Wake Med hospitals before a career change to public school teaching in 1995. From 1996 until 2011, Debbie worked as a high school teacher with Wake County Schools, teaching Health Occupations and serving as the faculty leader of the HOSA Club. Debbie received her National Board Professional Teaching Standards Certification and was the recipient of numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year at Fuquay-Varina High School in 2001. After retiring from full-time teaching, Debbie continued to work as an Adjunct Professor within the Department of Education at NC State University.

Debbie was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She and Ted were married on May 26, 1973 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania and in 1983 they moved to Cary, which has since remained their home. Debbie cared deeply for her six grandchildren, who knew Debbie as "Gram" and adored their time with her.

Debbie was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Cary, where she was a member of the AGAPE Church Circle. Additionally, she was very active in the community, participating in the Women's Club of Raleigh and Alpha Delta Kappa sorority.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at First United Methodist Church in Cary. Visiting time with the family will begin at 10am, followed by a service at 11am. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Debbie's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Cary (firstcary.com).