Deborah Kaye Elsea, 69, of Novinger Missouri passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
Born October 30, 1956 in Omaha, Nebraska to Irl and Margaret Chandler. Deb grew up in the Kirksville area and graduated from Kirksville High School with the class of 1975. She later received her teaching degree in physical health and education from Graceland College in 1979. Deb married the love of her life, Chris Elsea, on September 3, 2011 in Kirksville beginning a new chapter of laughter, love and companionship.
Deb worked various jobs in customer service with her last career at Chariton Valley Association as a support specialist until her retirement. Deb was an active member of American Legion Auxiliary since 2010 and served as president until her death.
Deb was a devoted Christian and active member of the Community Of Christ Church with a great love for her church family. Deb was very devoted to God, Her family, Her American Legion Auxiliary family as well as her church family. Deb will always be remembered as a very giving, generous person who always put others first. She had a quirky sense of humor and a kind and silly spirit that brought smiles and laughter to everyone she met. As Chris says “She couldn’t cook but she sure could kiss!”
Deb is survived by her husband Chris of the home, her daughter Angela (Daniel) Corneilson, her son Eric Moyer, grandson Michael Corneilson, her sister Diane (Kevin) Blackorby, her nieces Racquel Schempp and Renatta Blackorby, her mother-in-law Janan Elsea, step-children Camile Grens and Tarrah Heck, step-grandchildren Cadence, Elijah, Joseph and Aurora, great nieces and nephews, Madi, Jerzee, Asher, Lola and Waylon.
Deb was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, niece Tanya Gardner and father-in-law Ferl Elsea.
Deb will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her giving and loving soul. Even in passing Deb chose to give the gift of life through organ donation.
“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting, So ill just say see ya later”
Until we meet again Deb- “GO BABY!”
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, with family receiving friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. service time at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Elder Rick McVicker officiating. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.
Memorial donations in memory of Deborah may be made to her husband Chris and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.