Deborah Athearn Butcher

Deborah "Debbie/Mus" Athearn Butcher, 74, of Newnan, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Benton House of Newnan. She was born October 18, 1951, in Chattanooga, TN, to Mildred Griffith Athearn Lawson and the late Clarence Edward Lee "Sonny" Athearn. Debbie spent her early years in Signal Mountain, TN, roaming the mountainside with her many cousins. Her family moved to Atlanta during her middle school years, and she graduated from Jonesboro Senior High School in 1969. She and Steve married and lived in Riverdale, where Missy and Beth were raised. Their "Village" migrated en masse to Coweta County where they built their forever homes. Debbie and David forged their budding relationship in the Alabunkport boathouse on Lake Harding. In their marriage, their travels took them around the globe...as they joyfully pinned their travel map. Some of Debbie's greatest joys were gifting, planning, and accompanying her grandchildren on European trips of their choice. Missy and Beth joined Mus on her favorite mountaintop in Montevarchi, Italy, and made memories lasting a lifetime. Debbie's winding career path led her into the classroom in public education, from where she retired. She was forever an encourager of youth. Her service is Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 am in the chapel at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson Street, Newnan. Visitation will be the hour preceding the service from 10:00-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, Mus requested memorial contributions to Backpack Buddies, Coweta Women's Shelter, or Meals on Wheels. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. In addition to her father, Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Madison Hood; stepfather, Eugene Edward Lawson; brother, Philip Eugene Lawson; and grandson, James Zachary "Zack" Padgett. Surviving Debbie are her mother, Mildred Lawson of Newnan; her husband, David Butcher of Woodstock; brother, Eddie (Kristy) Athearn of Daytona Beach, FL; sister, Barbara Parker of Newnan; her daughters, Melissa (Dwight) Morrow of Fairburn, Elizabeth Thompson of Newnan; step-daughters, Jennifer (Kenny) Hobbs of Oviedo, FL, Amanda (Chris) Ham of Woodstock; nine grandchildren, Carly Padgett (fiancé, Zach) of Roswell, Erin McFadden (Eryn Pynes) of Huntsville, AL, Tye McFadden of Newnan, Savannah (Wyatt) Hardin of Fayetteville, AR, Josh Hobbs of Dallas, TX, Mackenzie Ham, Charlie Ham, Jacob Ham of Woodstock; nieces, Michelle Klein of Orlando, FL, Jennifer Parker of Newnan, Callie Parker of Highland Heights, KY; nephews, Shane Howard of Orlando, FL, Kyle Athearn of Lawrenceville, Chip Athearn; her cousins; and many, MANY close "framily" members near and dear to her heart. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Deborah Athearn Butcher

October 18, 1951 - July 28, 2026