Debra Lynne Shannon

Debra Lynne Shannon, affectionately known as Debbie, was born May 30, 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the second child who blessed the lives of her parents, James and Cardrienne Griffin. Debbie grew up in Fairmount Park in West Baltimore and was educated in the Baltimore Public School System where she attended Edgewood Elementary, Rock Glen Middle and Western High School. Debbie graduated from Virginia State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Public Administration and in 1990 from Morgan State University with a Master’s of Business Administration. While at Virginia State University, Debbie was invited (in the spring of 1982) to become a member of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Debbie’s mother and sisters were all members of the same chapter. Locally, Debbie was an active member of the Rho Xi Omega Chapter where she served faithfully. In 2013, she was elected philactor (Keeper of the Door). Debbie served on several other committees including the Social Action Committee. In her youth Debbie was christened at Bethel A.M.E. Church and worshipped among a proud family lineage including grandparents, parents and siblings. In recent years Debbie joined Empowerment Temple where she actively worshipped with her immediate family. Debbie married the love of her life, Dean Shannon, on November 19, 1994. They have two children, Jada and Jamal, whom she cherished. Debbie attended all of their school and extra-curricular activities, always supporting them as their #1 cheerleader and fan. Debbie had an impeccable work ethic and was an extremely dedicated employee for CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) working as an Insurance Specialist. The commitment to her profession was enhanced in many ways. Debbie was a gifted individual who was very detailed and organized. Debbie was active on many boards including the Woodbridge Valley Community Association, the Carver Foundation and The Parent-Teacher Association of Carver Vocational-Technical High School. Debbie also had many close friends whom she cared for greatly and they all loved her dearly. She was also like an adopted mom to so many children and her nieces and nephews. She was a part of small groups of girlfriends including the JETTS, the BITTS, the Fabulous 40. Debbie was also a member of the Golden Girls Club (from Virginia State University). Debbie entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 5, 2014, surrounded by her loving family after succumbing to her hard fought battle with breast cancer. Through all the treatments, doctors’ appointments and pain, Debbie never complained. Through it all, she was BRAVE. So many lives have been touched by Debbie’s loving spirit. To know Debra Lynne Shannon is to love her. Debbie will always live in our hearts. Debbie is survived by her husband, Dean; son, Jamal; daughter, Jada; parents, James and Cardrienne Griffin; sisters, Cheryl (Jay, Sr.) Threatt and Jewel Linzey; brother, Malcolm Griffin; nieces, Jasmine, Dominique and Coral; nephews Jay Jr., Jarvis and Sean; brother-in-laws, Craig, Darryl(Susan), Gregory Shannon and Zane (Kimberly) Hubbard; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Frances Johnson, godfather, Charles Robinson and her godchildren, Shantia Dixon, Logan Nelson, and Shawna Brown. Debbie also leaves to mourn many devoted cousins, uncles, aunts, sorors and loyal friends

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Debra Lynne Shannon

May 30, 1962 - April 5, 2014