Deborah Joy Hunnings McGraw

Deborah Joy Hunnings McGraw, 71, formerly of Morehead City, NC, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Health First's Viera Hospital in Florida.

A funeral service to honor Debbie’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 27th at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park in Newport. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Deborah, affectionately known as Debbie to her friends and siblings, was Momma to her children (and so many more), and Nana to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Born on April 12, 1954, Debbie was the daughter of the late Howard Hunnings and Mary Ann Lewis Tiprovich. She was born and raised in Morehead City, NC, and enjoyed her childhood summers in Louisiana due to her father’s work as a captain of a Menhaden boat.

From a young age all she wanted to be was a mother, a dream fulfilled when she married and was blessed with four children. Their family moved to Brownsville, Texas, and then to Linares, Mexico, where she and her family served as missionaries for over four years.

Upon returning to the States, they settled in North Carolina, enjoying life in Beaufort and "Down East" for many years. While there she was a member of Lighthouse Chapel on Harkers Island. Following changes in her personal life, Debbie returned to Morehead City, where she became a member of New Life Assembly of God.

Debbie thoroughly enjoyed her 30-year career as a beautician where she worked in Havelock, NC alongside her dear friends, Dez and Lana. After retirement, she relocated to Charlotte, NC, to be closer to her two remaining children and all of her grandchildren. Debbie’s son relocated to Melbourne, FL, where Debbie recently moved to be closer to him and his family.

Known for her creativity, Debbie was a talented artist who enjoyed painting and creating beautiful artwork. In her free time, she also enjoyed crocheting, producing numerous handmade items for her loved ones.

A woman of deep faith, Debbie loved her God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and welcomed conversations about religion and politics. Although her beliefs did not always align with her families she would always say, “just because we disagree doesn’t mean I don’t love you”, often emphasizing love despite differing opinions.

Debbie will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering support will continue to resonate in the hearts of her family and friends.

More than anything, Debbie absolutely loved being around all her family and most especially with her children and grandchildren. She was a nurturing and loving mother to all her children and grew to love their spouses as her own. Debbie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughter, Melonie McGraw Walsh (Patrick) of Charlotte, NC; son, Michael McGraw (Megan) of Melbourne, FL; and daughters-in-law, Elizabeth McGraw of Charlotte, NC and Michal Boaz McGraw of Kfar Saba, Israel. Along with her grandchildren, Brandon King (Rosel), Brianna King (Pedro), Danielle Boaz McGraw, Jacob McGraw, Marianna McGraw, Jonathan McGraw, Adam Boaz McGraw, Liam Boaz McGraw, Dylan McGraw, Ethan McGraw; and great grandchildren, Ella and Aura. Also surviving are her siblings, Ginger Privette of Raleigh, NC, Norma Dunn of Wilmington, NC, David Hunnings of East Point, FL, and Gary Hunnings (Connie) of Carrabelle, FL; her stepmother, Francis Hunnings of East Point, FL; and beloved dogs, Daisy and Max.

In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her sons, Timmy McGraw and Jimmy McGraw II; sister, Kimberly Hunnings Mills; and her precious cat Prissy.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Samaritan’s Purse P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or Save Cape Lookout Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 331, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.