Debbie Tomberlin Seymour

Debora “Debbie” Tomberlin Seymour, 65, of Appling, GA passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on August 8th, 2021 following a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Debbie was born on December 2nd, 1955 in Homerville, GA to Janie and Joseph Tomberlin and was the eldest of 5 siblings. She graduated from Clinch County High School in 1973, where she was the STAR student of her graduating class. After graduation, she went on to study Home Economics Education at the University of Georgia and later received her Master of Education degree from Cambridge University. Additionally, she participated in advanced culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu to further enhance the culinary skills she provided to her students. Debbie was a beloved and accomplished educator. She spent the majority of her career in Columbia County, filling the minds and hearts of her students at Harlem High School and Greenbrier High School, where she worked until her retirement in 2014. Among a long list of extracurricular activities and events she sponsored, Debbie was the advisor for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, an organization that promotes personal growth and leadership through FACS curriculum. She was the volunteer coordinator for the Columbia County Special Olympics and had a passion for working with the organization to give the athletes an unforgettable experience each year. One of her favorite times of year was Christmas, when she and her students would collect hundreds of gifts for needy families to ensure they did not go without. She was the true “mother hen” of Greenbrier High School and loved each of her students as if they were her own. Over the course of her career, she was recognized as the Greenbrier High School Teacher of the Year, Columbia County Teacher of the Year, STAR Teacher for Greenbrier High School, and Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year. There was never an educator more dedicated to her students and her legacy will live on in those who were lucky enough to learn from her.

Debbie married the love of her life, Mark Seymour, in 1980 and they built a beautiful life and family together over the course of their 40 year marriage. They had two children, Cameron Seymour and Shay (Seymour) White, who were the lights of her life. Debbie especially loved her life on Clarks Hill Lake, where she and Mark built their home in 1985. Debbie was happiest when she was with her family on a sunset boat cruise on the lake or in the kitchen making one of her famous southern dishes for others to enjoy. The epitome of a Home Economics teacher, Debbie believed with her heart and soul that “food is love” and never missed an opportunity to feed her loved ones a home cooked meal. She was a lover of nature, sunsets, road trips, lighthouses, James Taylor, and the Georgia Bulldogs. Debbie truly never met a stranger and loved and accepted all people for who they were. She was a bright light in this world who will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Janie Grimes and Joseph Tomberlin; maternal grandparents Sam and Vera McGlashan; paternal grandparents Riley and Mary Ellen Tomberlin; and her father and mother in-law, Edwin and Melba Seymour. She is survived by her loving husband, Mark Seymour and her adoring children Cameron Seymour and Shay White (Josh) of Savannah, GA. She is additionally survived by her brothers, Joey Tomberlin of Baxley, GA, Johnny Tomberlin of Bainbridge, GA, Jerome Tomberlin (Carole) of Colquitt, GA, and Jeff Tomberlin (Betsy) of Bainbridge, GA, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and former students. The family extends a great deal of love and gratitude to a very special cousin, Diane Tomberlin Kent, who loved Debbie unconditionally and never left her side in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics International in Debbie’s memory. The family will accept friends and loved ones on Saturday, August 21st, 2021 beginning at noon at Platt’s Funeral Home (337 North Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809.) Memorial service will immediately follow at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel with Dr. Dan Tomberlin officiating.