Deborah Darlene (Hahn) DeCola

Deborah Darlene (Hahn) DeCola was born in Gonzales County on January 30, 1949.  Debbie, as she was known, completed her heavenly race on June 22, 2024, in Guadalupe County, Texas.  

Debbie began her heavenly race just hours before the coldest temperature in this area’s recorded history was set.  From that bitter, record setting cold snap in 1949, grew a warm, special woman devoted to her faith and family.  She spread warmth and love not only within the church but also within her own family.  Those around her were blessed by her nurturing nature, guidance, and unconditional love.  Debbie has been described by many who knew her as “one of the nicest people they have ever known”.  

Debbie grew up in Gonzales, graduating from Gonzales High School in 1967.  The summer after graduation she met the love of her life at a local Dairy Queen.  She married Jim DeCola on December 15, 1967, and they spent the next 55 wonderful years together.  Aside from a few months in Providence, Rhode Island and a few years in Austin, they built their home in Gonzales County.  Together they raised three sons Dale, Ray, and Jarrett, with faith and hard work as the foundation to build upon.  Debbie spent the biggest part of her career as a clerical assistant for Dr Gloria Haug and Dr Janice Weinman.  She greatly respected and enjoyed working with Dr Gloria and Dr Janice.  When she was not working or taking care of her family, you would find her at First Baptist Church in Gonzales.  Debbie had an unshakable faith and devoted an incredible amount of time and energy to FBC.  In addition to 55+ years of regular attendance she also led the Girls Auxiliary (GA) group, participated in WMU, helped support various missionaries, taught decades of vacation bible schoolers, and happily volunteered for any number of jobs that needed to be done.  

Debbie was preceded in death by her husband Vincent James “Jim” DeCola, parents Stanley Hahn, Sr and Mildred (Jones) Hahn, brother Stanley Hahn, Jr, and her son Vincent Dale DeCola. She is survived by son Ray DeCola, his wife Kimberly, and their children Jack and Mary, son Jarrett DeCola and his daughter Lillian, daughter-in-law Annette DeCola and her children Patrick, Erin, and Anthony, and brother William Ray Hahn.  Debbie will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but we can celebrate that she has rejoined Jim and is no longer subject to the confusion, pain, and fragility that invaded her life.

A visitation will take place on Friday, July 05, 2024, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Seydler – Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 06, 2024, at 10:00am, at the First Baptist Church in Gonzales officiated by Dr. Josh Breslaw. Interment will follow at Belmont Cemetery. Pallbearers include John Hahn, Luke Hahn, Greg Carlile, Brett Jahns, Frank Wallace and Tony DeCola.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the First Baptist Church of Gonzales.

Friends and family may leave their condolences online by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com

All services are under the care of direction of Seydler – Hill Funeral Home.