Deborah Martella

Deborah Stuart Horn Martella, 67, a resident of Brandon, MS, passed away Sun. May 24, 2020 at the University Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Graveside Services will be held at 11am on Tues. May 26, 2020 at the Bay Springs Cemetery in Bay Springs, MS. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

Deborah Reece Stuart was born on September 23, 1952, to John Prentice and Carolyn Robinson Stuart. She, along with her 2 brothers, George and Jim, grew up in Raleigh, MS where she was active in 4-H, Piano, and Church activities. She went to Mississippi State University, where she met and married William Grady “Bill” Horn, and they were married January 25th, 1972. In 1977, their daughter, Rosalyn was born, and Debbie became a full-time wife and mom. When Rosalyn was 4 months old, they moved to Corinth, MS, where they lived for 7 years. They moved from there to Oxford, where they lived for a year and a half, until they got the opportunity to move to Brandon, MS Everywhere they lived, Debbie was very involved in the church, especially in the children’s programs, where she used her gift of teaching to teach Sunday school, VBS and to plan activities. As Rosalyn got older, Debbie began to work with the youth of the church and loved to host youth activities. Many of the youth she worked with would drop by unannounced because they knew that “Mrs. Debbie” would be there to listen and would always have something delicious for them to eat.

Debbie became a grandmother in 1997, when William James was born, and again in 1999 when John Griffin was born. She adored her grandsons, and had so much fun spending time with them, sending them things in the mail, finding fun activities for them to do, cooking or gardening with them. She loved to be in her yard, and spent hours working in her flower beds, no matter how hot it was outside. In 2005, Debbie and Bill were in a tragic car accident where Bill died instantly and Debbie was severely injured. Debbie and Bill were married for 33 years. Debbie had 2 more grandchildren she was never able to meet, Jackson Rhese was born in 2013, and Mia Harper was born in 2014.

In 2006, Debbie gave her testimony at church and that was where she was introduced to Carlo Martella, who was just going through the loss of his spouse. Immediately bonding through the common loss of each of their spouses, they began soon began a love affair that lasted for the next 12 1/2 years. Carlo and Debbie were married on August 16, 2008. As evidence of their joy of their union, the Martella family welcomed their announced plans to marry with a standing ovation of applause. That joy of family continued up until the day of Debbie’s passing.

Upon their marriage, Debbie’s family grew to include two stepsons, Jeff and Sean, their wives Dana and Rachel, a stepdaughter, Michele and her husband Ray and step-grandchildren Jacob, Ryan, Zach, Michael, and Ragan. Carlo and Debbie developed and indulged in a love of traveling, making many trips to the Smoky Mountains, a favorite destination for both of them.

The family is so thankful that she is now at peace and is no longer in pain. It gives us great comfort to know that she is reunited with her predeceased loved ones waiting joyfully for her remaining loved ones to join her in her heavenly home.

She is survived by her husband Carlo Martella, her mother, Carolyn Robinson Stuart Graves. Daughter, Rosalyn Horn Lee (Joseph), Grandsons, William James Lee, John Griffin Lee, Jackson Rhese Lee. Granddaughter, Mia Harper Lee. Brothers, George William Stuart (Cheryl), James Prentice “Jim” Stuart (Faith). Nephews, George William “Bill” Stuart (Greshka), Matthew Rhett Stuart. Niece, Tracy Stuart Troth (Darrell). Aunts, Dorothy “Dot” Robinson Tramel and Hazel Robinson Dunham, many cousins, and the Martella family aforementioned.

She is preceded in death by her Father, John Prentice Stuart, and her husband, William Grady “Bill” Horn.