Born July 23rd, 1951 in Baltimore, MD, to Jack Thomas Norris and Charlotte Jenkins Norris, Debra attended Andover High School where she graduated in 1969. After, she focused on her love of art by attending The Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, Md.

Debra then moved from Linthicum MD, to Bethany Beach, DE where she has made her home for over 35 years. Early on, she was a teacher at the Rehoboth Art League as well as a preschool teacher in Rehoboth. She competed in Misses DE pageants and also taught Belly Dancing.

A highly respected and accomplished business woman in the community, Debra was always dreaming and working on making those dreams a reality. In 1987, Debra got to fulfill her dream of building a replica one room school house when she opened The Little Red School House where she offered pre-school classes to three and four year olds. She has taught many generations of local children (and their children) over the years. This year, The Little Red School House celebrated its 25th anniversary. Later, in 2011, Debra got to fulfill another dream when she purchased the long running hair salon The Cut Above in Bethany Beach, DE.

As a long standing member of the community, Debra has given generously throughout her life to various local organizations, and was always willing to help those friends and family in need. She has given several scholarships to college level students through the Little Red School House in order to promote the study and creation of fine art. Her last years were spent at the properties she loved so much, surrounded by her family and friends at Red Fox Farms in Frankford, DE as well as her estate at Point Farm where she was cared for by loving family members.

Debra passed away on Saturday, July 21st, 2012 at her estate in Point Farm. She was surrounded by family and the Indian River which she was so drawn to her whole life.

Debra was preceded in death by her father, Jackson Thomas Norris, and is survived by her mother Charlotte Jenkins Norris; son, Zachary Jahnigen; daughter, Tabitha Fisher; sister, Pamela Norris Jorss; brother-in-law, Karl Jorss III; nephews, Damian Jorss and Jackson Jorss; granddaughter, Kylie Fisher and all the animals she loved and cared for at Red Fox Farms.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 28th at 6 PM at her estate in Point Farm.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks donations be made to the following groups in her memory: John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, One Charles Center, 100 North Charles St., Suite 234, Baltimore, MD 21201; Peninsula Regional Medical Center Foundation, Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute, 100 East Carroll St., Salisbury, MD 21801; Rehoboth Art League, 12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; National Congress of American Indians, Embassy of Tribal Nations, 1516 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.