Debra was born on June 3rd, 1958, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she was the cherished daughter of Bessie and James Hardy. She was the fourth of nine children. In 1969, the family relocated to Roosevelt, Long Island, New York. When Debra moved to Roosevelt, she was in the sixth grade where she finished her last year of elementary school at Ulysses Byas Elementary School, Roosevelt, New York. She later attended Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School, where she graduated in June of 1976 earning her high school diploma. 

In October of 1981, Debra began her lengthy and devoted career at A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, New York, where she served faithfully as a Dietary Aide. Because of her loyalty and devotion, she was promoted to Dietary Supervisor until she resigned in August of 2003. On August 7, 1999, she married the love of her life, Jimmie Grant, beginning a beautiful marriage built on love and devotion.

Because of her caring and nurturing characteristics, she pursued her lifelong dream of owning and operating a daycare for several years which she named “Little Debbie’s Daycare.” She affectionately cared for children and made a lasting impact on countless families. At her daycare she was fondly known as “Ms. Debbie,” “Aunt Debbie,” or simply “Grandma.”  After closing her daycare, she believed she needed to do more, she decided to secure a position at the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Roosevelt, New York as a Direct Care Professional in January of 2012. She worked at the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau until her retirement in March of 2020. She always had a strong yearning to help and cultivate young minds and less fortunate people. 

Debra’s greatest joy was her family. She showed her love and passion by preparing large Sunday dinners that brought the entire family together around the table for tasty food and laughs. She also had a zeal for gardening, nurturing her plants, creating arts and crafts, and dancing. She found great happiness in caring for her beloved dogs, cats, and fish. To all who knew and loved her, she was affectionately known as “Deb,” “Deborah,” “Debra Jean,” “Aunt Deb,” or just “Cousin Deb.”

She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, beloved sister, adored aunt, treasured cousin, and faithful friend whose warmth, generosity, and unwavering love touched the lives of everyone she met. 

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie, and James Hardy, and her two brothers, James Edward Hardy and Robert Patrick Hardy.

She lives to cherish her precious memory her devoted husband, Jimmie Grant; her loving daughters, Mioshi Hardy (Tyron) and Robin Watkins; her siblings Catherine Joyner, Michael Hardy, Rickey Hardy, Trudy (Terrence) Taylor, Joey Hardy, and Jeffrey (Lisa) Hardy; and her first cousin Joyce (Ned) Speight, who was more like a big sister. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Yahna Deborah Yates, Briahna Hayes, and Stephen Mendez, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Though she will be deeply missed, Debra’s love, kindness, strength, and unwavering devotions to her family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of compassion, generosity, and unconditional love will remain an enduring source of comfort and inspiration for generations to come.