DUNGANNON — Colleagues of Dungannon Mayor Debra Horne mourned her death Wednesday.
Horne’s death was announced on the town’s Facebook page Wednesday evening on the town’s Facebook page:
“Debra possessed many admirable traits, but her most distinguishing characteristics were her empathy, devotion to her community, and desire to improve the well-being of our children,” the Facebook post stated. ”Please keep her family, friends, and community in your thoughts and prayers.”Horne had served as mayor since 2014 and won reelection in the November 2024 election, Vice Mayor Kristi Farmer said Thursday.
“She was so passionate about her town,” said Farmer. “She wanted the best for the town’s children and tried to get things in the town so they could better their lives.”
“I’d seen her, when somebody couldn’t pay their water bill, reach into her own wallet and pay it,” Farmer added. “If someone couldn’t afford their tax bill, she’d help pay it.”
Farmer credited Horne with working to get grant funding and area support for construction of an aquatic education center along the Clinch River.
“This week we were getting the permits to start construction,” said Farmer. “ I wish she could be here to see it come to fruition.”
Horne also worked to bring solar power projects to the town, Farmer said, and worked with Appalachian Voices on a revitalization project to plan for making the town’s former railroad depot into a community resilience center in case of disasters.
Town Councilmember Nina Begley said Thursday that she moved to Dungannon 10 years ago before Horne convinced her to run for council.
“Kristi Farmer and I worked with Horne and, while we didn’t always share the same opinions, we worked together for the town and we were great friends.”
“She had pressed really hard for the aquatic center,“ Begley added. “I’m sure she knows that it will be here for years to come.”
“She was very happy and artistic,” Farmer said. “The barn quilts you see around Dungannon? She painted most of them. She was into woodworking and crafting, and she was incredibly talented.
“She was a fine lady and very dedicated to Dungannon,” said Begley. “If you were sick, she’d bring you food.”
“It’s miraculous what she has done to improve the water and sewer systems,” town water and sewer system supervisor Steve Sabo said Thursday. “She could be stern sometimes, but she was fair and passionate. She worked all the way to her final days, and she strove to keep the town’s water and sewer systems in town control.”
“She gave me hope and aspirations,” Sabo added.
“She was a very caring person,” Farmer said.
“I don’t know what we’ll do without her,” said Begley.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Thursday.
