Deborah June "Debbie" Ivens, age 45, of Athens passed away Thursday at Skyridge Medical Center in Cleveland, TN.

A member of the Athens Church of Christ, she was Secretary of the McMinn County Historical Society.  A teacher for 19 years at McMinn County High School, she was former Teacher of the Year for McMinn County and the State of Tennessee.  She was Chair of the Science Department at MCHS, where she taught Chemistry and Honors Chemistry. She was Head of "BigKids Do Science", a program for Honor's Students.  She was serving her 3rd term as President of the MCEA (McMinn County Education Foundation). She was District 3 Representative for the Tennessee Science Teacher's Association amd Board member of the Tennessee Science Teacher's Association.  She was serving as Secretary of Alpha Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. 

A native and life-long resident of McMinn County, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert L. "Bob" and Rachel Cranfield Russell and Emra Thomas "Stump" Rountree.

Survivors: Husband, John Robert Ivens of Athens, TN.  Parents: Larry D. & Irene Rountree Russell of Athens, TN.  Sisters & brothers-in-law: Sharon Annette Gardner and children, Sarah and Nathan Gardner of Alma, Illinois.  Karen Irene & Timothy "Tim" Sliger and children, Kaitlyn and Jake Sliger of Athens, TN.  Penny Gail & Kirk Martin and sons, Aaron and Tyler Martin of Athens, TN. Brother & sister-in-law, Tracy Don & Bedelia Russell and children, Emma and Abby Russell of Cookeville, TN.  Maternal Grandmother, Gladys Ditmore Rountree, of Athens, TN.  Mother-in-law: Virginia Ivens of Maryville, TN.  Step-sons & spouses: Rodney & Tina Ivens of Tellico Plains, TN.  Robert & LeAnn Ivens of Chattanooga, TN.  Step-grandchildren: Brad Abernathy, Cissy Abernathy, Cannon Ivens, Tyler Abernathy, Cassie Ivens, and Christopher Ivens.  Several other relatives.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the Athens Church of Christ with Minister Steve Riley officiating.

Interment will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Bem Rountree, Mack Russell, Jason Smith, David Self, Kevin Ivens and Jerry Ivens. Honorary pallbearers will be the Faculty of the McMinn County High School.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 4-8 P.M. at the McMinn County High School Gymnasium.

The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Debbie Ivens Memorial Fund, % McMinn County High School, 2215 S. Congress Parkway, Athens, TN 37303.