Deborah "Debbie" S. Hemphill

Deborah Scoggins Hemphill, 69, entered into rest on May 31st, 2022,

following a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her children.

Debbie was born in Augusta, Georgia on April 4, 1953 to Layton and

Margaret Scoggins. Early in life, she attended Richmond Academy

(ARC), and Augusta College, where she met her husband of 48 years,

Wilson Hemphill, in an economics class.

A lifelong advocate for education, she began working in the McDuffie

County School System as a substitute teacher when her older children

were attending, and later served as a preschool teacher at Thomson

FUMC while her younger children attended. This experience was

followed by many years as a paraprofessional in McDuffie and Columbia

County, as well as Augusta Christian schools. She was a longtime

member of Thomson First United Methodist Church, and the Exodus

Sunday School class.

Debbie’s favorite thing to do was to take care of and spend time with her

family. She never missed a ceremony, recital, birthday or ball game. She

was born to be a mother and her children and grandchildren were the light

of her life. She was tireless in her efforts to make sure they had

everything they needed. She was known for being a mama to all of her

children’s friends, as well as her students. She welcomed everyone she

met with warmth, kindness and humor.

Debbie was a gifted cook and seamstress, often making things for

coworkers and grandchildren. She enjoyed beach music, outings with

friends, taking care of her lake home, hosting family holidays and her

dogs, Oscar and Hattie. She was incredibly generous, and never hesitated

to help someone in need.

She is survived by her brother, Preston (Tricia) Scoggins; children Woody

(Megan) Hemphill, Ryan (Sarah) Hemphill, Anna (Ross) Hanahan and

Nick (Emily) Hemphill. She also leaves behind 6 grandchildren. She is

preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Wilson Hemphill, and her

parents Layton (Myrtle) Scoggins and Margaret (Bill) Cheesborough.

Memorials may be made in Debbie’s memory to Thomson First United Methodist Church.

Visitation at Beggs Funeral Home, 799 Cobbham Road, Thomson, Georgia on Friday, June

3, 2022 from 6-8pm. Funeral at Thomson First United Methodist Church

on Saturday, June 4th at 11am.  Interment will follow in Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens.

Please visit www.beggsfuneralhome.net to sign the family’s personal guestbook.  Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia is honored to serve the family of Deborah “Debbie” S. Hemphill.

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