Debbie McElyea Blakely passed away Sunday, December 13, 2020 surrounded with her family and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 1 to 2 with memorial service following at Tanner High School Gymnasium.
Debbie was proceeded in death by her father Carl McElyea of Athens.
Debbie graduated from Clements High School, Calhoun Community College and Athens State College where she received her degree in Physical Education/Special Education.
Coach Blakely began her career at Tanner High School where she led two teams to State Championships and was named “Coach of the Year” each time. She continued her coaching at West Limestone and Ardmore where she won various titles. Debbie was inducted into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame. She was Director of JTPA for local youth summer jobs. After retiring from the Limestone County School System she began working as a Unit Director for the Athens Boys & Girls Club.
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Debbie Blakely, the wife of Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely, is remembered for her contagious smile and the impact she made on the community. Blakely died Sunday.
News Courier/File
The late Debbie Blakely married her college sweetheart Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. They have one son, Andy. Andy and his wife, Dawn, have two sons, Luke Johnson and Ben Blakely.
Courtesy photo
Debbie McElyea Blakely was a lot of things to a lot of people â wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, coach, mentor, friend, past director of Athens Boys & Girls Club, Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame inductee, a huge part of the rodeo and much more to many people across the county and beyond.
Debbie Blakely, wife of Limestone County sheriff, dies
Updated Dec 13, 2020;
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. A cause of death was not announced.
A teacher and coach, Debbie Blakely was a member of Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame. According to her HOF biography, Blakely won two state basketball championships at Tanner, and basketball, volleyball and softball tournament titles there and at West Limestone and Ardmore.
The daughter of the late Carl McElyea and Margaret Bridges McElyea, she grew up in the Coxey community, and graduated from Clements High School in 1968. During her senior year there, she played in the first sanctioned volleyball tournament held by the Alabama High School Athletic Association and was named to the All-State team.