Chesapeake ~ Debra Hawkins, an insulator at Tidewater Insulators and resident of Chesapeake, VA died on June 6, 2021 at the age of 54 after her battle with lung cancer of two years.

Debra was born in Springfield, MA on March 10, 1967 to the late Richard Thayer and Lillian Fischer. She earned many achievements such as barrel racing, modeling photos featured in Easy Rider Magazine, her photography being published in Mopar Magazine, and having won a trophy at Outer Banks Speedway for her car photography.

Debra was a devoted mother and hard worker. She made family time a huge priority. Every Sunday she cooked a family dinner. Every Saturday she went to OBX Speedway or Northeast Dragway to take photos of the racers. Photography was a major hobby to her and a breath of fresh air. Although photography meant a lot to her, she had many hobbies such as: gardening, rescuing animals, video games, going to the beach, dancing, watching the races, and working.

Some of the family’s greatest memories with her are at the drag strip, watching her take photos of all the cars and showing her grandson, Giovanni, around the track. Another amazing memory is going to the beach with her. She loved to drive her Isuzu Amigo on the beach, ride the waves on her boogie board, and take long walks on the sand. Although she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, she never let it hold her back. Debra was a very strong fighter with a positive mindset, who didn’t let anything get in her way.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished by her mother, Lillian Fischer; her soul mate, Robert D’Agostino; her children: Jake, Tiffany, and Angela; her fur children: Frankie, BamBam, Chloe, Stink, and Howy; her grandchildren, Bryan, Giovanni, Christopher, Thomas, Oliver, Kylie, and one on the way; her sister, Cindy; her niece and nephew, Sharon and David; her uncle; John; as well as her good friends and extended family.

Debra will be greatly missed by all her family and friends, members at the Outer Banks Speedway, and Northeast Dragway. To see details on her celebration of life, please view her Facebook page at Smoken Tires Photography or Debra Hawkins.