Debra McNairy Berry was born on September 13, 1962 in Chicago, IL to the late Edith Elizabeth McNairy.  Unable to provide for her daughter, Debra was given to family member Frank and Bessie Darling who demised three years later and again, she was given to another member of the family Robert Henry and Annie Lee Cato Vines of Leesburg, FL

Debra arrived here in Albany, GA with her uncle Rev. L. A. Pelham and Aunt Jalia Cato Pelham.  Debra sometimes called "Deb" always felt that she was raised in the best of both worlds.

Debra earlier childhood education began in Leesburg, FL.  In 1979 Deb attended Boggs Academy, a college prep school in Keysville, GA.  She graduated from Albany High School.  She attended Albany State College ( now University) and worked for many years as supervisor of the game room.

Her Christian journey began at W. H. Tabor Church in Leesburg, FL.  The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Dr. Rev. E. James Grant, The Institutional First Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

Debra was gifted in the field of music.  She was a directress and a songstress.  She was a member of the Georgia Mass Choir under Milton Biggham and the Freedom Singers of the Civil Rights Museum of Albany, GA.  She directed the Mt. Zion Inspirational Choir for twenty-five years and Junior Choir.  She directed several choirs in the local and surrounding counties.

Debra was married to the late Tyran Sherod Berry.

She is survived by her uncle Allen Darling and by her extended family Bernice M. Thomas (Calvin), LaVerne M. Washington and Annette M. Curry of Albany, GA  A devoted and supporting special cousin of Berry's family Dr. William Russell Berry.  A goddaughter, Akisia Washington of Atlanta, GA and the family of the late Tyran Sherod Berry and a host of cousins and friends.