Deborah Landers Kelley, age 78, of Northport, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, learning and service. She was loved by all who knew her, and her kindness, humor, curiosity and generosity will be remembered by her family, friends, former students and countless others whose lives she touched.

Raised in Holt, Bethany and Northport, she was a 1966 graduate of Tuscaloosa County High School, where she was selected as "Best All Around" in her senior class superlatives, a fitting recognition for a woman who was exceptionally well-rounded. She taught herself to swim as an adult and became a good water skier and was equally adept cooking, sewing, gardening or mastering something new. She had beautiful handwriting, pitched for her church softball team and worked as an accountant before becoming an educator once her own two children entered elementary school. If she needed to learn something, she simply read about it and figured it out. Her resourcefulness, determination and willingness to try new things were hallmarks of her character.

She didn't see the ocean until she was 18, but enjoyed visiting beaches for the rest of her life. She always loved the beach.

She went on to earn both her bachelor's and master's degrees from The University of Alabama and dedicated 25 years to educating children as an elementary school teacher in the Tuscaloosa County School System at Crestmont, Flatwoods, Myrtlewood and Buhl. She believed deeply in the importance of education and the opportunities that reading could provide. A strong advocate of the Tuscaloosa Public Library Bookmobile program, she thought it was important to offer books to rural students who might otherwise have limited access to literature. She also served for many years as the church librarian at Northport Baptist Church and spent many summers teaching Vacation Bible School there.

A voracious reader throughout her life, "Deb" sometimes read a book a day and maintained countless newspaper and magazine subscriptions. Her genuine curiosity about the world meant she could hold a good conversation with just about anyone. She had a special affinity for outlaws and rebels -think Elvis, Joe Namath and Joe Burrow types - and was fascinated by the childhoods and family backgrounds of newsmakers. She loved learning how people were raised and what shaped them into the people they became.

Above all, Deb loved Jesus. She was baptized in the Sipsey River near Bethany as a teenager and was a lifelong member of Northport and Carroll's Creek Baptist Churches. She knew scripture and practiced her faith daily.

Deb was fiercely devoted to her children and grandchildren and was a doting grandmother. She and Mike looked forward to celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary on Sept. 14. He was her devoted caregiver during the last six years of her life as she faced a variety of health challenges, just as he had been early in their marriage following a severe car accident in 1971. His love, dedication and unwavering care were a testament to the deep bond they shared.

Deb was especially grateful to her sister Jennifer (Landers) Tullidge, cousin Rosemary (Palmer) Cabaniss and friend Mary Anne Brown for their love and devotion during the last several years. The family is especially thankful for the care of Dr. Dawn Bryant.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Frances (Craft) Landers.

She is survived by her husband, Michael; her children, Adam Kelley (Natalie) and Laurie Comer (Mike); and her grandchildren, Zoie Comer Cain (Alex), Jesse Kelley, J. Mike Comer and AJ Kelley.

The family will hold a small, private graveside burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Tuscaloosa Public Library, where Deb often took her children on summer days, often to their chagrin.