Deborah Paist

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Deborah Payne Paist, 58, departed this life Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. She died peacefully in her sleep in the new home she had just established in Springfield with her husband, Richard.

She was born July 10, 1957, to Wanda Bell and B.J. Payne in Doniphan, Missouri, both of whom preceded her in death.

Debbie graduated from Doniphan Senior High School in 1975. She went on to complete a bachelor of science in social work from Southeast Missouri State University in 1980, and launched her career at Doctors Regional Medical Center, where she worked for several years in social work and discharge planning.

Debbie transitioned to long-term care management and was a licensed nursing-home administrator in Missouri until 2008. She worked for many years in long-term care marketing and served as a consultant in therapeutic activities and social services for regional nursing homes. Debbie had a unique passion for older adult care and had a special gift for working with dementia patients. She finished her career at Missouri Highlands, where she provided case-management services and administered the Delta grant project.

Debbie inherited her mother's touch for creating a gracious home and her dad's head for business and politics.

She loved her two boys beyond measure and took great pride in their accomplishments. She married Richard on Valentine's Day, 2013, and they were greatly devoted to one another. Debbie was especially excited about their new life together in Missouri. She thrived on friendships with people from all walks of life, was a gifted storyteller, and had a great sense of humor.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Paist, as well as her children, Caleb Callahan and Jonnie Blankenship of Cape Girardeau, and Miles Callahan of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Debbie's sister, Diane Johnson of Cape Girardeau; her nephew, Lucien Johnson of Atlanta; and a wide circle of friends throughout Southeast Missouri and Gaithersburg, Maryland, also survive her, as do aunts and uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. Richard's children, Emily Oelschlegal, Elizabeth Paist, Nate Paist and six grandchildren also survive.

A celebration of Debbie's life was held Saturday at the Aad Grotto Hall in Poplar Bluff.

The family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association.

Greenlawn Funeral Home of Springfield was in charge of arrangements.