Deborah Gail Holshouser Richards

October 24, 1951 - March 23, 2022

Deborah Gail Holshouser Richards went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Compass Healthcare of Spencer, NC. Debbie was born in Salisbury on October 24, 1951, and grew up in Rowan County, where she graduated from East Rowan High School in 1970 before enrolling at Pfeiffer University with a scholarship in chemistry. She lived in many states including Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey before moving back to Salisbury in April, 1986. She and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Jon Richards were involved together in Christian ministry for many years in various churches, universities and seminaries, and missions in the United States and in several other countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Germany, and Ukraine. Debbie taught at North Hills Christian School in Salisbury from 1990-2012. Their twin daughters graduated from North Hills in 2001 and UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005. Debbie is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, twin daughters, Emily Strobach, spouse Brian, and Lauren Rosenfarb of St. Louis, MO; twin grandsons, Leo and Thaddeus Strobach; sister, Joyce Benton, spouse Samuel Benton, of Atlanta; brother, Michael Holshouser, spouse, Sheila Beck Holshouser, of Salisbury; as well as her parents, Donald and Geraldine Sides Holshouser of Salisbury. Debbie is remembered for her friendly, vibrant personality, love and compassion for her family and others, musical, and teaching skills, but primarily her passion to share Christ in all that she did. A memorial service will be held at the Omwake Dearborn Chapel on the Catawba College Campus, Saturday (April 9, 2022) at 2 PM with Rev. Shane Tolliver officiating. Neil Wilkinson will be the soloist for the service. A reception will follow at DJ's Restuarant in Salisbury. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Richards family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.