Debra Gayle Beasley

Debra Gayle (Johnson) Beasley, 72, of Fayetteville, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. The loss of her personality, grit, and spunk will be felt for years to come. Most of all, the absence of the love she had for those around her will leave a void in the world of those who knew her for the remainder of their lives. On the Johnson side of her family, a question was often asked: “Who loves you?” And in a style evocative of a responsive reading in church, the universal reprise was: “Aunt Gayle.” Gayle loved well; she loved unconditionally, tangibly, and reliably - a Northstar force that could be relied on in the best and worst of times. She could be gentle to those around her while simultaneously wielding an unparalleled ferocity when someone took aim at a person (or animal) otherwise considered defenseless. Whether the laugh that could fill any room; the wit and sarcasm that could outmatch any challenger; or the hug that could calm any storm - Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain. Her legacy continues and her memory endures; she is neither gone nor forgotten for “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Evergreen Baptist Church with Reverend Charles Davis and Reverend Tommy Honeycutt officiating. The burial will follow at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 10:50 AM on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Evergreen Baptist Church prior to the service. 

Gayle was a native of Cumberland County, the daughter of Robert Lee Johnson and Haskell Mae Carter Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Vanessa Warren; and a brother-in-law, Randy Barefoot.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Durwood Beasley of the home; a sister, Sheila Bullock and her husband Roy and her daughter Christy Barefoot; two nephews, Jayson Warren and his wife Grace and their two daughters Clara and Gwen, and Ethan Warren and his wife Ashley and their three children Landon, Adeline, and Norah; a brother-in-law, Jay Warren; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, loving friends, and her dog, Babee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Genitive Foundation

https://www.gentivahs.com/patient-and-family-resources/donate/

Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation (Cancer Care) https://www.capefearvalley.com/giving/programsfunded

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 6535 Clinton Road, Stedman, NC 28391.