On a beautiful sunlit day, July 11, 2025, Debra Marie Carll was escorted by angels into heaven with family by her side after a long and slow decline. She was 72 years old.
Debbie was born on a cloudy but warm Monday, September 1, 1952, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ. Her parents, James and Peggy Messick, rejoiced in her birth and brought her home to Collingswood, NJ. They later moved to Willingboro, NJ. Debbie graduated from JFK High School and then decided to train as a legal assistant. Soon after graduating, her family moved to Wilmington, DE, in 1973, where her father had been working for the DuPont Company. Debbie was hired by the law firm Bader, Dorsey and Kreshtool. Soon, she was working directly for senior partner John Bader as his paralegal. She did legal research and assisted in depositions, as well as sitting alongside Mr. Bader in courtrooms.
In May of 1976, Debbie met her future husband of 45 years, Richard Carll. They met after a chance introduction by one of Rick’s friends. Debbie and Rick were married at the Newark Church of Christ on August 2, 1980, as Rick was relocating to Gaithersburg, MD. Debbie then took a position with a law firm in Rockville, MD, working for senior partner Gilbert Tietz. Debbie and Rick had wonderful times getting to know the greater Washington, DC area.
In 1983, Debbie and Rick’s daughter Ferris was born, and they moved back to Wilmington, DE. A short time later, Debbie began working at Corporation Services Company (CSC), where she specialized in incorporations across the U.S. In 1989, a second daughter, Laura, was born to the delight of Debbie and Rick. By the time Debbie retired from CSC, she was in charge of incorporations in the state of Delaware.
As much as she liked legal work, her family was foremost in her life. She thoroughly enjoyed her family’s annual vacations in Ocean City, NJ, imparting that special tradition to her daughters. She also adored her three dogs, Riley, Sammie, and Nora—raising Nora from a 5-week-old pup. Debbie enjoyed sewing, making clothes for stuffed rabbits and teddy bears, which she gave as presents or sold. She also enjoyed needlepoint, creating many designs on hand towels and other cloth goods.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Chance Joannides of Rochester, NY, and her parents, Peggy Marie Messick (née Byrd) and James Joseph Messick. Debbie is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Richard Carll; her sister-in-law, Kathleen Carll (Peter) of Philadelphia, PA; daughters Ferris Joannides (Rich) of Rochester, NY, and Laura Carll (Mark) of Wilmington, DE; and grandchildren Hope, Silas, Leia, and Kaia.
Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Newark Church of Christ and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
