The Christian County community is mourning the loss of a woman who devoted her life to education and recreation. Funeral services have been set for 84-year old Mary DeBow, who died Monday morning at her residence.
DeBow was a local educator for 14 years, served as Principal of Morningside Elementary School for 19 years and then retired after serving as District Service Coordinator for three years.
According to her obituary from Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home, DeBow also served as Hopkinsville’s first City Recreation Director from 1958 – 1973. She then served on the recreation commission for eight years.
She was also instrumental in establishing Teen Town.
In addition, DeBow served as President of the Christian County Employee’s Credit Union and was a member of the Christian County Public Schools’ Board of Education from 2006 – 2014. She was involved and served as officers in many national, state, and district organizations related to education and recreation.
In 2009, DeBow Recreational Complex was named in memory of Pam DeBow, Mary’s niece, and in Honor of Mary DeBow.
DeBow also received many awards to include Woman for the Year 1965-1966, Citizenship Award (Civitan Club) 1969, Personality of the South Award, and received the Jaycee’s Physical Fitness Award for her work on development of recreational program in 1974, the first woman recognized by the local Jaycee Chapter, the City of Hopkinsville Award for Contribution to the City, and many other awards.
She is survived by 25 nieces and nephews.
DeBow will be laid to rest Friday.
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