Deborah "Deb" Hammond Morrell

Deborah Hammond Morrell (aka Deb or “Kirk”), 70, of Candler, NC, passed away peacefully at Care Partners Solace Center in Asheville, NC on the morning of July 9th, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer.  She was born Deborah Jane Hammond, November 28th, 1952, in Greensboro, NC. She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Ben Morgan of Candler, her brother, Chip “Skippy” Hammond and sister-in-law Rebecca Hammond of Perry Maine; three nieces, a nephew, five grandnieces, two grandnephews; her uncle, David Drayton and Aunt, Julee Wilson both of Florida; many cousins, and a wealth of friends.   She was preceeded in death by her father Bill B. Hammond and mother Dorothy D. Hammond of Greensboro.

Deb graduated from Page Senior High in Greensboro, class of 1971.  She graduated from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, in 1973 with a deep love for the NC mountains, where she lived and worked the rest of her life.  She lived in the Boone/Blowing Rock area for many years, forming many lasting relationships and gaining a reputation for being a caring friend and, with her playful personality and biting wit, the life of the party.  In the 1990s she moved to the Asheville/Candler area where she eventually met Ben while they both worked at the Grove Park Inn.

Deb was one-of-kind, with a zest for life, a raucous laugh, and a special, uninhibited way with people that resulted in many close and lasting friendships over the years.  She was also a thoughtful neighbor, with concern for the elderly, physically challenged, and marginalized.

She was a lover of all creatures great and small, taking in stray cats and making sure the birds and the squirrels were well-fed.  She was a dog-owner her entire life and as a child she collected a wide assortment of pets including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and hamsters.

Deb had a distinct, creative knack for decorating.  Everywhere she lived she made uniquely her own. Her favorite author was Stephen King; her favorite movie genre, horror/suspense.  If asked about her favorite movie director she would have likely answered Alfred Hitchcock. Fittingly, her favorite holiday was Halloween where she often let her creative instincts run wild for the occasion.

A memorial service for Deb is pending but will likely take the form of a Celebration of Life, to be announced in the future.  Meanwhile, memorial donations can be sent to Asheville Humane Society,  https://www.ashevillehumane.org/donate/other-ways-to-give/