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Celebrating the life of

Deborah Mary Netzela-Jenkins

February 28, 1961 - February 18, 2021

Deborah Mary Netzela-Jenkins

Pooler- Deborah Mary Netzela-Jenkins, 59, died peacefully at home on February 18, 2021 after a long battle with cancer.  She was the child of the late William J. Netzela and Dolores Olive Netzela of St. Louis, Mo.

Deborah lived in the St. Louis area while her father completed the St. Louis Gateway Arch as the project manager (construction engineer). Her family then moved to Solon, IA, making lifelong friends and memories.  Her next family move was to Rock Springs, WY, where she fell in love with the great outdoors and learned to be a competitive gymnast. The family moved next to Midland, MI, where she graduated from Dow High School with a full-ride gymnastics scholarship to the Northern Michigan University.  After graduating with a Communications degree, she worked for Bally Corporation in Dallas, TX, and Huntington Beach, CA.  She later returned to Solon and worked for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office while she awaited her appointment to the special agent position with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).  She enjoyed working undercover narcotics investigations in the Port Hueneme, CA, area as well as supporting the visits to the area by President Ronald Reagan.  In New York City, NY, she participated in a significant joint NCIS/FBI fraud investigation.  She later accepted a position as the Assistant Director of Investigations for the Department of Buildings, City of New York.  In 1990, she met her love and moved to Falls Church, VA, where she enjoyed working with kids as a gymnastics coach.  Debbie and Jeff were married in 1993 and moved to the Republic of Panama for the adventure.  After both of their daughters were born there, the family moved to Jacksonville, FL, where Debbie focused on raising her young family while she loved singing in the choir at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  In 2003, the family moved to Front Royal, VA, where Debbie loved the activities of the Shenandoah Valley and started a regional magazine, The Front Royal Magazine.  She did not want to leave the area or the magazine.  However, she moved with the family to Fernandina Beach, FL, where she enjoyed the beach and making jewelry.  In 2011, the family moved to Savannah, GA, where Debbie continued to enjoy hiking the beach.         

Deborah was a loving wife and mother who always enjoyed supporting her daughters and their interests.  She loved to golf, ski, ice skate, rollerblade, hike, bike, and swim. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 27 years, Jeffrey Alan Jenkins, and daughters, Savannah Danielle Jenkins and Brigette Nicole Jenkins of Savannah, GA.  She is also survived by her sisters, Diana Bartlett (Dan) of Solon, IA, Donna Becks (Gary) of St. Charles, MO, and Darlene Yonley (Joseph) of Lake Saint Louis, MO, two aunts, Shirley (Robert) Eckardt and Marian Dobyns, her uncle, Ronald Olive (Gail), many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to one of her charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Great Smoky Mountains Association.

 

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

My deepest Sympathy and much love and hugs to all of you! I've always been told from aunt Dolores that she asked my mom if she could name her Deborah even though I was named Debra and we share the same birth month. I will miss seeing her post on Facebook. You could by her post that she loved life,enjoyed traveling and most of all loved her family. She was a strong person and didn't give up fighting with her health! Cuz your going to be missed !

- Debbie Nuernberger, 63385, Mo

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God provide you all peace, love and comfort during this time.

- Bruce & April Miller, Brunswick , Georgia

We never met Debbie but knew that she was an extraordinary woman listening to Jeff share his stories. Her obituary chronicles a life well lived. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

- Terri and Buddy Singleton , Brunswick, GA

I was so thrilled to met Debbie after hearing about her from Ralph all these years wish so much we would have had more time together

- Lynn and Ralph Rathgeber, Finleyville, PA

Please accept our deepest condolences on Deborah’s passing. It’s obvious from reading her obituary that she lived a full life and a life of adventure. Take comfort knowing that she’s in God’s hands now and she is no longer suffering.

- Fred and Connie Worrill, Crawfordville, Florida

I pray God will comfort you, Savanna and Bridget as you grieve the loss of a loving mother and wife. May Deborah’s example of enjoying life to the fullest overcome the grief of her passing and inspire others to do the same. Doyle Family

- Doyle Family, Saint Simons Island, Ga

Our hearts are with you during this difficult moment.

- Aparicio, Salem, Massachusetts

A candle has been lit!

Made this candle remind you of God‘s eternal light that glows within us. Each eternal light special and unique. We will all miss Debbie’s special spark of light among us. May God’s peace that passes all understanding surround you all with comfort in the knowledge that her spark has returned to God’s holy flame where we will all meet again someday. May this be your constant life line during the near future especially. It has been mine many times. I will be in touch with you later on. Your loving cousin Lynn

- Lynda Schmidt , Augusta , Ga 30907

A candle has been lit!

Sending love and prayers to the family - so thankful for our visit in 2019 when Jeff & Deborah spent a weekend with us - We cherish the memories and photos we have from the Sigma Nu event and the Atlanta Braves game when Kelli and Kevin were able to join us as well. Deborah was full of life and love for her family - she was so proud of her 2 girls, showing off pictures of them and telling us all about their accomplishments. Deborah's beautiful smile and energy will be missed. Hold on to the good memories and know how very much Deborah loved all of you.

- The McAuliffe Family, Marietta, GA

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeff and the girls. We will keep the fond memories of our times together in Panama. Stay strong and may God bless.

- Hiott’s , Brunswick , GA

Our prayers are with you and the girls during this difficult time.

- The Martins, Haymarket, VA

We mourn the passing of a family friend. Debbie was a NCIS Special Agent who quit a promising career to devote her life raising two beautiful daughters. She was supportive of Jeff’s work tempo away from home. Debbie was helpful to younger NCIS families. Our prayers for Debbie and her family. We look forward to hearing the successes of Savannah and Brigette.

- Ramon Quijano, Corpus Christi, TX

Condolences from a former NCIS family.

- The Talleurs’s, Midway, GA

God bless Debbie, and may he give you strength during this most trying time!

- Joseph & Stacie Riccio, Middleburg, VA

Jeff condolences to you and your family on the loss of your wife. I thoughts and prayers will be with you during these trying times. God Bless. Jack and Marsha.

- John R and Marsha K Moreschi, Hanover, Pa

Jeff condolences to you and your family on the loss of your wife. Thoughts and prayers will be with you during these trying times. God Bless. Jack and Marsha.

- John R and Marsha K Moreschi, Hanover, Pa

We send our heartfelt condolences to Jeff and the family. Many good memories were during our assessment in Panama. Seems like just yesterday we picked up Debbie and Jeff upon arrival at the Howard AFB terminal. We pray God holds you close and provides His comfort during this difficult time.

- John Wagner, San Clemente, CA

We send our heartfelt condolences to Jeff and the family. Many good memories were during our assessment in Panama. Seems like just yesterday we picked up Debbie and Jeff upon arrival at the Howard AFB terminal. We pray God holds you close and provides His comfort during this difficult time.

- John Wagner, San Clemente, CA

So sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. She was above all things- unique.

- MIke Keleher, Grayslake, IL

Jeff, We send our deepest condolences and prayers for Deborah, Jeff, and the extended family. .

- Lockard, Kailua, HI

Jeff, so very sorry to hear this news. Extending our most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Our prayers are with you all.

- Barry and Mary Cocci, Gig Harbor, WA

Jeff, very sorry to hear of the lose of your wife, mother, soulmate. May the Lord comfort you and your family during this time. God bless Scott and Gail Campbell

- Scott Campbell, Virginia Beach, Vs

My deepest sympathy to Jeff and their children.

- Jeff Morrow, Hingham, MA

Jeff, Saddened to hear of the passing of your wife Deborah, alas, a fellow NCIS special agent. The two of you had a wonderful life together. Best wishes to you and your Family, Paul Sparks

- Paul Sparks, Falls Church, VA

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeff and your entire family. We so enjoyed our time with Debbie when she made us a picnic lunch and we sat and visited near the water at the time when the NCISA reunion was held in Savannah. The laughs we all had at the dinner. Our condolences to you and may you find some comfort in knowing that Debbie is at peace. Our best Ron and Gail Olive

- Gail L Olive, Surprise, AZ

Jeff and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We will always remember our talks at the pool with Debbie and parties at our home with the two of you. We had memorable moments. We will miss her very much. May god rest her soul.

- Janet and Jeff Pielli, Pooler, GA

Always thinking of you and always sending prayers for your girls. Love and miss you always. Samantha

- The Kulinski's, Kansas City, KS

Services under the direction of:

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200