Deborah Louise West

July 14, 1960  -  December 17, 2025

Ms. Deborah Louise West was born in South Bend, Indiana on July 14, 1960, to the union of John T. West Jr. and Lula Belle West who both preceded her in death. She was an amazing daughter, mother, nana, sister, auntie, friend, co-worker and mentor. She was a beacon of light and love in the many lives she impacted.

Deborah grew up on the southeast side and was a 1979 graduate of Riley High School. Following high school, she attended IVY Tech Community College and earned a degree in business management. Upon completing her studies at IVY Tech, she went to work at the YMCA Urban Youth Services and became the personal assistant for the late Mr. Charles Martin Sr.

Under the leadership and mentoring of Mr. Martin, Deborah was known as the mother of the YMCA Urban Youth Services. The students called her, “Mama Deb, Ms. Deb or Ms. Debbie.” She was known as the friendly voice when people called the office; Gladys Muhammad fondly recalled Deborah as being so friendly you could almost see her smile through the phone. Deborah was accommodating and knowledgeable and able to answer questions in the absence of Mr. Martin. She was highly regarded by Mr. Martin and his wife, Pat who became the Godparents of herself and her first born daughter, India in 1988. Mr. Martin refused Deborah’s choice of India’s name because she wanted India to be her daughter’s middle name but as we all know, it became her first name.

From assisting with the start of the summer youth camps, to after school sports and activities, and weekend dances and everything in between, Deborah didn’t miss a beat assisting the students who came to the Urban Youth Service Office.

Deborah continued her faithful service to Mr. Martin during his illness; following his passing in 1994 she remained working at Urban Youth Services under the leadership of Constance Moore. In 1995 Deborah began a career as a phone operator at Ameritech where she worked for 10 years before leaving the company. In 1999, Deborah gave birth to her second daughter, Jakayla.

In 2006 Deborah embarked on a career as a caregiver working at various companies and also doing private duty for the elderly and disabled. Deborah loved this career and served with care, compassion and love. Because of the love they felt, many of Deborah’s clients adopted her into their families. Her dedication and hard work led her to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant and she received her license in 2010.

In 2010 Deborah went to work with her sister and niece at the Providence House formerly known as the Madison Center. At the Providence House she touched many lives and after a short while she worked at a few area nursing homes; those included, Cardinal Nursing Home, Holy Cross Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Creekside, and finally found her forever facility, Bell Tower where she worked until she retired earlier this year.

Deborah was not only an amazing mother to her two daughters, but she had just gained a new granddaughter, Ma’Lani Brown, that she loved and enjoyed during video chats with; she was so excited and could hardly wait to meet her. Deborah had a special motherly bond with her only four nephews, Sedelle Blue, Justin West, Maurice Ottbridge Jr. and Shaquil Johnson. She would do anything in the world for her family and was the backbone to her parents during their lives. She was the big sister to her eight siblings and while in school, Deborah engaged in her fair share of fights when it came to protecting them.

Deborah was an avid reader who loved reading and dared anyone to touch any of her books. She enjoyed listening to music, watching movies, in which she had a huge collection of. She enjoyed being with family and most of all, spending time with her nieces and nephews. Deborah always had a heart and passion for cooking and was the family dessert expert. Her family always asked her to bake for holidays and family gatherings. Within the last four years of life, Deborah enjoyed going to concerts, traveling, and going on girl trips with her sisters and nieces.

At the age of 65, Deborah took her final breath and gained her wings on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at her Mishawaka home. She leaves to cherish her legacy, two beautiful daughters who she was very proud of, India Ford of Shreveport, Louisiana and Jakayla Cleveland of Tucson, Arizona; her three grandsons, who brought her much joy and laughter, Marcos Cannady Jr., of Indianapolis, Indiana; My’Shaun Easley and Ma’Kai Gary both of Shreveport; her siblings, Charlotte (Maurice) Ottbridge, Craig (Kathy) West, Shannon (Marcus) Jackson and sister Tomeka Ford. She also leaves Yvette West and Dorothy Henry who she always regarded as sisters, along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends.

As we all are saddened by the loss of our beloved Deborah, let’s remember no matter what Deborah did, she always planted seeds of encouragement into everybody she met. She was a mother and grandmother to many.

Along with her parents, Deborah was also preceded in death by one sister, Diana Lynn Fultz; three brothers, Mark Anthony West, John T. West, Jr. and Jason Thomas West; and by her Aunt Billie Joe Wesley who Deborah held close to her heart.

Visitation for Deborah will be on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 2:00pm at Brown Funeral Home, 521 East Main St. Niles, Michigan 49120. Deborah will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Photos, condolences, and memories may be shared with Deborah’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

12/27/2025 djb

https://www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com/obituaries/Deborah-Louise-West?obId=46790869