Debbie Kay Long

Debbie Kay Long (née Adams) passed away Thursday November 27th, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on January 24th, 1965, Kay was the kind of person who found meaning everywhere - from a paint color containing the name of one of her children to a coin minted with the birth year of a loved one. She loved to read and has been known to rescue discards from the local library where she worked in order to prevent books from being thrown away. She would often describe herself as having no funny bone, but she was always quick to laugh and was very goofy and silly. A true homebody, Kay could often be found sitting on her front porch, watching nature and the world go by. She loved it best when it rained, and could sit for hours watching it pour down on her little slice of heaven. She was strong and fiercely independent. She was very artistic and able to draw or create seemingly anything. Above all else, she deeply loved and cherished her family.

Her children will forever remember her as a mom who truly believed they could do anything. A mom who would do anything for her children and sing their praises to anyone who would listen. She was always happy to be in the background, tirelessly working to lift and support her kids; forever a rock solid foundation for them. Even when she was feeling the worst, her primary concern was always for her children and making sure they would be okay. Her children consider it an absolute honor and privilege to have been lucky enough to have Kay as their mother. She will be forever deeply and profoundly missed.

Kay is survived by her loving children Autumn Skelley (Rick) and Sage Adams (Ilsia), her beloved sister Denise Gibson (Eric), and numerous family and friends near and dear to her heart.

Kay's wish was to be cremated and her ashes spread in meaningful locations. If you would like to visit and remember her, you may visit Chilhowee Mountain.

If you would like to honor Kay's memory, please consider a donation to your local public library or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.