Debra Verstalla Johnson, 54 of Bryans Road, Maryland.

Debra Verstalla Johnson, age 54, known by all as Debbie, transitioned into eternal life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ suddenly on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland. Born, February 5, 1962 in Mt. Victoria, Maryland to the late Mary Marie (Clark) Smothers and the late Joseph William Smothers; as a child, Debbie had a love for the outside and animals of all kind; she even had a pet pony named Pete and a pet goat named Jamie. They say she had the Pony and Goat trained like a dog. Debbie attended Charles County Public Schools.

Debbie met her soulmate Shelton Johnson over their love of music. They would soon discover that they had the same love for family, the two became one when they married on July 2, 1999 in La Plata, Maryland. They were great together doing what they loved best; Deejaying all over Maryland, and Virginia. Debbie's favorite song was "Be Thankful For What You've Got". She held many jobs over her lifetime, but the most important job was being a homemaker to her husband and children. She was also a self taught cosmetologist, interior designer and home remodeling expert. Debbie has styled many girls and ladies hair over the years from the Jeri Curl, to the French Roll, to Braids, to Cornrows, to Weaves. You name it she could style it. She had a gift of interior decorating; she really knows how to bring a room to life. Debbie would often help Shelton with home remodeling projects. They could have had their own Home Remodeling Show on HGTV. Recently they helped their future son-in-law Francis and daughter Sherrika finish remodeling their home.

Debbie was always the life of the party, never a dull moment when she was around. She always kept the family together by having Family Reunions and Huge Cookouts at her house. Sometimes the family gatherings would turn into a weekend camping event in her back yard. She loved her nephews and absolutely adored her grand-daughters and nieces. Often she would let a group of them spend the weekend with her. They enjoyed getting into the swimming pool, jumping on the trampoline, playing games into the wee hours of the night, do hair and make-up and watch scary movies. Debbie has even helped to raise a few of her nieces and nephews, taking them in to live with her when time arose. She also loved to play cards, going to Bingo, out to eat and Maryland Live with her loyal friends and sister-in-law's. Several years ago, Debbie, Mona Cooper and Bridgette Govan formed the female social group—The Golden Girls.

Debbie was also a big prankster, no one was off limits with her. You may have gotten a cake to the face, oil on the kitchen floor, string across the face, a match in your toes or beans in your nose. That was her free loving spirit, she would always get a kick out of playing Practical Jokes on her family and friends.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents: Mary Marie (Clark) Smothers and Joseph William Smothers, her brother William Smothers, her sister Shirley Hart and her God-Mother Cecelia Smothers.

Debra is survived by her devoted husband Shelton Johnson and her loving children: Antoine(Shenita), Shelton and Sherrika(Francis); her grandchildren: Jazmine, Jadai, Shayla, AlaJaih, Shanaya and Alexus; her siblings: Joseph, Pernell, Alphonso, Deon(Paula), Alnita, Jeffery and Butch; one Great-Aunt Elizabeth Clark; a wonderful Mother-In-Law Gloria Johnson; Sister-In-Laws, Lisa Myles, Cindie Crockett (Dexter), April Taylor; Brother-In-Laws, Wesley Johnson (Terry), Roger Johnson (Mydtrie), and Jerry Johnson, a host of other Sister-In-Laws and Brother-In-Laws that she was very fond of, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Viewing, 9:30am until Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00am, Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Issue, Maryland.

Interment, Holy Ghost Catholic Church Cemetery, Issue, Maryland.