Debbie Aiken Chase, 63, of Fayetteville, NC, died on Tuesday July 28, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family, after a year and a half brave battle with ovarian cancer.

Mrs. Chase was born September 26, 1951 in Topeka, KS to the late Richard Mayer Jr. and Ann Mayer.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jonathan P. Chase; daughters, Leah Green and husband Andrew Green of Atlanta, GA and Allison Aiken of Washington, DC, and their father Michael Aiken of Jacksonville, FL; step-sons, First Lieutenants Michael Chase and Kyle Chase, of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and foster daughter, Precious Williamson of the home; her four siblings, Bryce Mayer and his wife Roberta, Jill Wahlman and her husband Joe, Michael Mayer and his wife Kim, and Amy Kelley and her husband Jack, and 5 nieces and 7 nephews all of Indiana; as well as an extended family of 3 maternal aunts, 1 maternal uncle, 31 very close first cousins; and many special and dear friends.

Mrs. Chase received her undergraduate degree in social services from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and worked for 18 years at the Allen County Department of Welfare in Fort Wayne, IN. Upon moving to Fayetteville, NC, she obtained her Masters in Social Work from East Carolina University and worked tirelessly as a school social worker at Max Abbott Middle School for 19 years during which time she received the Faye Huckabee school social worker of the year award. Mrs. Chase was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where she loved playing in the hand bell choir and helping as a member of the Altar Guild.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 31st, at the Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville, NC from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 1st, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with the Reverend Jeffrey Thornberg officiating. A private burial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Max Abbott Middle School Social Work Fund through Max Abbott Middle School; Jennings County Players in North Vernon, Indiana; or the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Debbie was always selfless, with a huge heart, while finding joy in all she did. She worked tirelessly, cared deeply, felt strongly, and advocated endlessly. She is remembered as the best Mom and mentor ever, not only to her own children, but to countless others that she guided and positively influenced during 37 years as a social worker. Debbie will be forever missed by all she befriended, helped, supported, met and loved.