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MC Family Rallies for Debbie DePriest


Mississippi College faculty, staff and friends of the Christian university are helping Debbie DePriest and her family in a time of need. Their home in Flora was recently destroyed by fire.

DePriest is a former Clinton resident who moved to the new home in Madison County less than a year ago. An MC staffer since 1982, Debbie is a secretary at the Graduate School Office in Nelson Hall.

News of her emergency situation spread quickly around the Clinton campus. Colleagues at MC and friends quickly responded with a helping hand.

"Our folks have given unselfishly to Debbie's efforts - whether they are money donations or care packages," said Debbie Norris, the MC vice president for planning and assessment and graduate school dean. "I hope people will continue to remember her through donations to the business office."

DePriest, she said, is "an unsung hero - someone who quietly goes about doing her job and does it well."

Nobody was hurt in the fire at the home in Madison County, but the DePriest family lost almost all of their personal belongings. The family's dog died in the blaze. Clothing, household items, Mississippi Braves memorabilia and tickets and photos were among the things destroyed.

In recent days, Debbie, her husband Bill, and Debbie's mother stayed at an area hotel.

Debbie DePriest's mother is a big-time Mississippi Braves fan. Executives with the Atlanta Braves' minor league baseball team in Pearl purchased new M-Braves tickets for the family and replaced the destroyed baseball items.

For more information, contact Debbie Norris at 601.925.3260 or dnorris@mc.edu